Deputy National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Malik Basintale, has criticized President Akufo-Addo for recommissioning the nine-year-old AMERI power plants, now known as the Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Plant (K1TPP).
The official commissioning ceremony took place at Anwomaso in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Basintale, speaking on TV3 New Day, condemned the Akufo-Addo government and the NPP for opposing the procurement of the AMERI power plants during the Mahama administration between 2013 and 2015.
He emphasized that the government cannot consistently take credit for projects initiated by the previous administration, saying, “If you’re talented at organizing naming ceremonies, learn to give birth. You cannot consistently perform naming ceremonies for things that have been executed by your predecessor.”
Basintale questioned the logic behind the commissioning ceremony for plants that have been in the country for nine years, stating, “What was the so-called commission all about? You organized a naming ceremony for a nine-year-old baby and then you want us to clap for you.”
President Akufo-Addo highlighted that the Volta River Authority (VRA) fully funded the construction of the K1TPP and acknowledged the contribution of various organizations in the completion of the project.
AMERI Group officially handed over the 10-unit power plants to the government of Ghana under a five-year “built, own, operate, and transfer” agreement. President Akufo-Addo praised the VRA for showcasing the capabilities of Ghanaian engineers and acknowledged the ECG, GRIDCo, and GNPC for their roles in the project.
