Yvonne Nelson: We Need Street Protests Against ‘Dumsor’

Popular Ghanaian actress and producer, Yvonne Nelson, has once again ignited the flames of protest, calling upon the powerful support of IMANI Ghana to join her in a second wave of demonstrations against the country’s persistent power outages.

In a tweet dripping with determination, on Monday, April 22^, 2024, Nelson recalled their previous success in 2015 when she led several of the country’s celebrities from the arts and entertainment sector and some individuals from Civil Society Organisations to stage a massive street protest against erratic power outages under the John Mahama led government.

With a hint of urgency and frustration, the actress, in her recent tweet,  pleaded with IMANI Ghana to rekindle the magic that made their previous protest a triumph.

“Imani Ghana, can we organize another vigil? I’ve been waiting for you to reach out like you did years back. (your team made our demo a success) I’m reaching out myself. The NPP and its leadership @NAkufoAddo have taken Ghanaians for granted. #DUMSORMUSTSTOP”, she tweeted.

She spoke bluntly, accusing the current government of taking Ghanaians for granted.

The recent power cuts, dubbed ‘dumsor’ by frustrated Ghanaians, have plunged homes and businesses into darkness, sparking outrage across the nation.

Despite the incumbent government denials, citizens are demanding clear information and a solid plan to fix the problem, with may calling for a load shedding timetable.

As Nelson’s rallying cry echoes across social media platforms, it’s clear that Ghanaians are fed up with the ongoing power cuts.

Fueling the fire, energy experts have lashed out at the government’s mismanagement, adding fuel to Nelson’s call for action.

Even Joyce Bawah Mogtari, a trusted aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, couldn’t hold back, slamming the current administration for avoiding responsibility.

“These power outages must be condemned especially when those responsible refuse to accept responsibility for their own actions that have led to the consequences we are experiencing.

“Untold hardships, unemployment, corruption and stealing, land grabbing and now complete darkness and a total disregard for our basic needs!

“They rode on the back of propaganda to campaign. Where is the excess of power we didn’t need or require! Can we have it now! Won the election on lies, have governed with lies and propaganda and now trying hard to hoodwink us, the darkness has exposed them.

“This AkufoAddo/Bawumia administration will go down as the worst in the history of this country. Ghana deserves better!”, she took to her X page, commenting on the recent energy crisis in the country.

IMANI responds to Yvonne Nelson

Meanwhile Franklin Cudjoe, the Founding President of IMANI Africa, has expressed support for actress Yvonne Nelson’s call to organize a protest.

In response to Nelson’s post on her platform, Cudjoe acknowledged her call for a second round of protests, labeling it a fair request.

“We have heard the call by the redoubtable Ms.Yvonne Nelson for round two of #dumsormuststop. Fair call even as we (IMANI) have maintained our criticism of government’s bad decisions for what often seem like a rudderless leadership, the latest dumsor episodes being the zenith.

“So as you can see (T-shirts), we are preparing and we will make the call and choose how we demonstrate and who we want to partner at the right time.

“Meanwhile, others can also organise their own unique protests in churches, mosques, bars, schools and homes .#DUMSORMUSTSTOP”, Franklin Cudjoe replied to her on his Facebook page.