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Ghanaian actor Prince David Osei has sparked widespread debate after openly criticising President John Mahama over the country’s recent persistent power challenges and rising electricity costs.
In a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday, April 27, the actor voiced frustration over Ghana’s current energy situation, linking the recent electricity problems to what he described as a recurring trend associated with Mahama’s time in office.
According to Prince David Osei, the name Mahama has become “synonymous with dumsor,” referring to the prolonged and disruptive power outages that affected homes, businesses, and institutions between 2012 and 2016.
The term “dumsor,” which means “off and on” in Akan, became one of the most widely used words during Ghana’s previous power crisis, symbolising the unpredictable electricity cuts that negatively impacted the economy and daily life.
Prince David Osei suggested that similar concerns are beginning to resurface again, arguing that each period of Mahama’s leadership has been marked by major power supply instability.
He also criticised the high cost of electricity, noting that tariffs continue to rise despite recurring complaints about unreliable power supply.
According to the actor, many households and businesses are being forced to deal with a double burden—frequent outages and expensive utility bills.
“Ghanaians deserve better than this. Please, Mr. President, we deserve better,” he wrote.
His comments quickly generated mixed reactions on social media, with many users supporting his concerns about the state of the power sector, while others accused him of politicising a national issue.
Supporters of the actor argued that citizens have every right to question leadership when basic services such as electricity become unreliable or too expensive.
Others, however, defended the government, saying some of the recent outages have been linked to maintenance works, system upgrades, and technical faults rather than a full-scale return of dumsor.
The issue remains politically sensitive in Ghana because electricity supply has historically influenced public confidence in governments.
During the height of the previous dumsor crisis, several businesses suffered losses, small enterprises struggled to survive, and many families had to adjust their daily routines around power cuts.
As a result, any signs of recurring instability often trigger strong reactions from the public.
Recent complaints in parts of the country over intermittent outages and tariff concerns have revived national conversations about energy planning, infrastructure investment, and accountability.
Prince David Osei’s remarks add to a growing list of public figures speaking out on economic and governance issues, using social media as a platform to demand action and reform.
Whether one agrees with his criticism or not, his comments reflect a broader frustration shared by many citizens who expect stable electricity and affordable pricing.
As the debate continues, many Ghanaians will be watching closely to see how government responds to both the technical challenges in the power sector and the growing public dissatisfaction.
