By: John S. Morlu II, CPA
In Ghana, electricity is like a guest — it shows up when it wants, stays just long enough to remind you of the good old days, and then disappears without saying goodbye.
They call it “Dumsor” — a rhythmic national symphony of lights off, fans still, and fridge contents crying in silence.
The term comes from the Twi words “dum” (off) and “sɔ” (on), and it’s so popular it made it into presidential campaign slogans.
Imagine running for president with the promise:
“I will bring the light!”
Now that’s some powerful branding.
The Unofficial National Anthem: Buzzzzzzz…
If you land in Accra at night, your welcome music isn’t traditional drumming or Afrobeats — it’s the buzz of 1,000 generators singing in harmony.
From roadside shops to five-star hotels, everyone has a Plan B, C, and G (for Generator).
Your smoothie stand has a generator.
Your neighborhood mosque has a generator.
Even your gym instructor has a generator — to keep the treadmill of hope running.
Some folks don’t even flinch anymore.
Light goes off? No panic.
Just a calm announcement:
“We move to genset.”
Like it’s a luxury cruise.
🧠 Fun Fact: Ghana might be the only place where people measure productivity in “light hours.”
If you got 5 hours of uninterrupted electricity, congratulations — you had a productive day.
The Emotional Rollercoaster of Dumsor:
1. Stage 1 – Denial: “Maybe it’s just a flicker… Wait, the neighbors still have power!”
2. Stage 2 – Anger: “I just bought tilapia and ice cream! Not today, ECG, not today!”
3. Stage 3 – Bargaining: “God, if you bring the light back, I’ll pay my bill early next month.”
4. Stage 4 – Depression: You sit in silence, fanning yourself with expired bank flyers.
5. Stage 5 – Acceptance: You light a candle, open the windows, and let the mosquitoes attend your pity party.
Generator Dealers Are the Real MVPs
Want to make money in Ghana?
Forget crypto.
Sell generators and power banks.
These businesses have better returns than the Ghana Stock Exchange.
Some shops even rent out generators by the hour, like karaoke machines with diesel engines.
And if you’re really brave, you go solar.
Except solar in Ghana sometimes means putting panels on your roof while still praying for rain, light, and mercy.
💸 Bonus Tip: Every generator owner has one common trait —
they know how to fix carburetors better than most mechanics.
Light = Mood Stabilizer
Ask any Ghanaian how their day is going and they’ll respond:
“The light is there.”
Which translates to:
“God is good. I’m not sweating, my soup isn’t spoiled, and I can charge my phone.”
Digital Hustle… Powered by Genset
Yet somehow — somehow — this country is still building apps, running remote businesses, and trading in bitcoin.
With patchy electricity, Ghanaians are powering a global digital hustle.
It’s like learning to swim during a tsunami — but hey, if you survive, you’re stronger for it.
🧲 Fun Fact: Some people have a sixth sense now — they can tell when the lights are about to go off by the way the fan makes a cough-like sound.
🎓 Real Life Hack: In Ghana, resilience isn’t a buzzword.
It’s the national grid.
If you want to build grit, just live through one ECG billing cycle.
Welcome to the Generator Generation.
Where the light may go off, but the hustle? Never.
📖 Coming Up Next: Chapter 7: “Sachet Water Economics — The GHC 0.50 Lifeline”
Author: John S. Morlu II, CPA is the CEO and Chief Strategist of JS Morlu, leads a globally recognized public accounting and management consultancy firm. Under his visionary leadership, JS Morlu has become a pioneer in developing cutting-edge technologies across B2B, B2C, P2P, and B2G verticals. The firm’s groundbreaking innovations include AI-powered reconciliation software (ReckSoft.com) and advanced cloud accounting solutions (FinovatePro.com), setting new industry standards for efficiency, accuracy, and technological excellence.