The Institute for Energy Policies and Research wants the amendment of the Transition Act 845, 2012, to pave way for the appointment of at least five substantive Ministers for Finance, Health, Energy, Education and Agriculture to keep these critical sectors of the economy active in the first 100 days of a new government.

According to the institute, Parliament should make the necessary provisions to vet and approve these ministers designate within the first 21 days of the new parliament.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Kwadwo Poku, it said this will afford any new government to have leadership in key areas of the economy.

“Ghanaians have high expectation after the swearing in of a new President on the 7th of January 2020, to swiftly oversee all sectors of the economy.  We have the first ‘100 days’ expectations and in some countries there is believe that the momentum of this ‘100 days’ determines the pace and success of a government”.

The energy sector for instance with its numerous problems does not have a Minister and looking at the timetable for vetting by Parliament, will not have one until the end of February, it said, stressing that even when the President [ Akufo-Addo] appoints a caretaker, that individual cannot take policy decisions.

“The Authorities, corporations and companies under the sector faces the same problem of inaction and no policy direction since their boards were dissolved as per the Chief of Staff’s letter dated 12^th January 2021”, it said.

“This problem is not only felt in the energy sector but across the entire government in Ghana. In the midst of this Covid-19 pandemic, the President does not have a Cabinet and a Health Minister to steer the country through these difficult times”, it explained further.  

Continuing, the institute expressed worry that in the past week the country missed a deadline to take over the operation and maintenance of the Ameri Plant, stressing “there are also union agitation at the Tema Oil Refinery since the beginning of the year and therefore the Refinery needs special attention by government to determine the long-term viability of the Company.

Additionally, the teething problems at Gridco and ECG needs immediate attention to address the teething problems at Gridco and ECG which needs immediate attention, adding, the lack of leadership in the energy sector can compound these problems to escalate.

“As it stands, Ghana Incorporated will have nothing to show for in the first quarter of 2021. The private sector looks to government for stability and the uncertainty created by the current situation does not benefit Ghana.”