Cut down imports in the energy sector – Kufuor

Former President John Kufour has called for an end to the excessive importation of energy accessories into the country.

He has, therefore, urged local industries to take up the challenge of manufacturing such accessories to reverse the trend.

Mr Kufour believes such a move will help reduce unemployment in the country.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Prefos Street Lighting Assembling plant at Adarkwa Jachie in the Ejisu-Juaben in the Ashanti Region, Mr Kufuor said: “Here in Ghana, you’d all agree that when you talk of electricity, every bit of electricity, the component is imported.”

“If its hydro energy, the turbines are all imported, the grid lines are all imported. When it comes to the distributive end, the switch, the meters, the cables, the bulbs, every bit of it is imported.

“How can we talk of development if we are so heavily dependent on importing every little thing in the supply of energy?” he asked, adding: “Without energy, you can’t develop.”

He also urged more private sector participation in the energy sector. “I believe in public-private partnership, unfortunate for us, since independence in 1957, we have not allowed our private sector to mature,” former President Kufuor bemoaned.