The New Patriotic Party government must urgently devise a comprehensive timetable for load shedding to assist the business community in planning manufacturing processes and staff schedules, mitigating the financial strain caused by erratic power supply. The escalating operational and production costs in manufacturing are poised to trigger a significant surge in the overall cost of conducting business. Without proactive measures, this could ultimately lead to price hikes on goods and services, as companies are forced to heavily invest in costly fuel for alternative power sources.
Joseph Paddy, the Director of Communications for the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), emphasized the critical need for constructive dialogue between the government and businesses to chart a course forward amidst the challenges plaguing the power sector. It is imperative for the government to formulate a functional timetable to foster industrial and commercial harmony.
Furthermore, GUTA has joined the chorus of voices urging the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to publish a load-shedding schedule. The ongoing power disruptions have inflicted severe harm on businesses and livelihoods nationwide, affecting sectors such as agriculture, trade, and industry. Manufacturers are grappling with maintaining production schedules and workforce planning due to the inconsistent power supply, leading to increased production costs and deteriorating living standards.
Traders, shop owners, wholesalers, tailors, dressmakers, electricians, and other artisans have all felt the adverse effects of the “Dumsor phenomenon” on their businesses. GUTA demands transparency from ECG regarding the root causes of the erratic power outages, the remedial efforts underway, and a clear timeline for resolution. They call upon ECG to furnish a load-shedding timetable to empower businesses to effectively plan their activities.
The unpredictability of power outages has compelled many shop owners to resort to using generators, resulting in escalated expenses for petrol to sustain operations during unforeseen power cuts.
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