IN recent weeks, Ghana has been gripped by a relentless wave of power outages, plunging neighbourhoods into darkness and disrupting daily life for millions. From the bustling streets of Tema to the vibrant markets of Ashaiman, the impact of these outages reverberates across communities, leaving businesses and residents grappling with uncertainty and hardship.
For entrepreneurs like Yehusa Abdul-Malik, whose livelihood depends on electricity to operate his welding business in Ashaiman, the power cuts have dealt a devastating blow. ‘I had promised a customer that I would complete a job for them using metal,’ Abdul-Malik tells Xinhua news agency. ‘But with the frequent power outages, I couldn’t even begin the work, and I lost the job to someone else. It’s been a struggle to make ends meet.’
Similarly, Napolean Ahiable, a seasoned barber in Tema, laments the toll the crisis has taken on his earnings. ‘I’ve been running my barbershop for over a decade, but these power outages have made it nearly impossible to sustain my business,’ Ahiable shares. ‘There are days when I can only work for a couple of hours due to the blackouts. It’s heartbreaking to turn away loyal customers because I can’t provide them with the service they need.’
The situation is no less dire for Adjo Enyonam, who operates a cold store in Ashaiman. ‘The recent power cuts have cost me dearly,’ Enyonam reveals. ‘I returned to my store one morning to find that the fish stock worth $500 had gone bad due to the lack of refrigeration. To make matters worse, my new refrigerator was damaged by the unstable power supply. It’s a double blow to my business.’
As night falls, the once-lively streets of Tema and its environs descend into darkness, with businesses forced to close their doors prematurely. The absence of electricity not only disrupts economic activities but also poses safety concerns for residents navigating poorly lit streets and homes.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) cites overloaded transformers and financial constraints as contributing factors to the power outages. ‘We’re facing significant challenges in meeting the growing demand for electricity,’ acknowledges Herbert Krapa, chairman of the ECG governing board. ‘However, the government is implementing measures to address these issues and restore uninterrupted power supply to consumers.’
Despite assurances from officials, the pervasive nature of the power crisis underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions. From infrastructure upgrades to enhanced financial management, stakeholders must collaborate to safeguard Ghana’s energy security and ensure a brighter future for all its citizens.