Ghana's Energy Minister Removes Generator to Feel Blackouts

When Richard Gyan Mensah became Ghana's Deputy Energy Minister, he did something unusual: he deliberately made his own life harder.

He removed the backup generator from his home. While other officials kept their lights on during outages, Mensah chose to sit in the dark with ordinary citizens.

"I wanted to feel what Ghanaians go through when the light goes off," Mensah explained during a recent interview. "If I install solar, then what about the ordinary Ghanaian who doesn't have what it takes to install solar?"

The decision hasn't been easy. His wife isn't comfortable with it, and he admitted he's "having some issues" at home. But he believes the sacrifice is necessary.

Last Saturday, Mensah spent six hours without power while caring for his kids at home. Even as he called the Akosombo power station repeatedly to check on repairs, he experienced the same frustration as millions of his fellow citizens.

Ghana has faced increasing power challenges as demand surged at the start of the year. Overloaded transformers have caused outages across multiple communities, leaving families and businesses in the dark.

But Mensah didn't want the crisis to feel abstract. Now when citizens call to report outages in their neighborhoods, he can respond from personal experience. "When the light goes off, my light goes off as well," he said.

He actively monitors restoration efforts, sometimes receiving texts from his team in real time. He checks whether power has returned to areas, knowing his own home is likely affected too.

Why This Inspires

In a world where leaders often seem disconnected from everyday struggles, Mensah's choice stands out. He didn't just talk about understanding citizens or promise to fix problems from a comfortable distance.

He turned off his safety net. He chose discomfort over convenience, believing that shared experience would make him a better servant to his country.

The minister says this is temporary. Once the power system improves and Ghanaians have reliable electricity, he'll bring his generator back. Until then, he waits in the dark.