Mahama calls for fairness in load-shedding

President John Dramani Mahama on Friday called on workers in the power sector to exhibit high sense of professionalism and fairness that would satisfy Ghanaians in the current energy challenges.

He said although government was doing everything possible to reverse the current electricity challenges, it was for the workers to ensure that their performance was above reproach.

President Mahama said this when he addressed workers to mark the May Day National Parade on the theme:"Addressing the energy crisis:"The role of Organised Labour" at the Black Star Square.

The annual programme, which is meant to celebrate the efforts of workers worldwide, attracted workers from both the public and private sectors who appeared in their various apparel to participate in the parade.

President Mahama said apart from working out to bring in power badges from Turkey, government was also considering coal and renewable energy apart from the current hydro electricity and gas power sources.

He said plans were also far advanced to implement the 20,000 roof top solar panels in selected households throughout the country, as part of measures to reduce the over-dependence on hydro electricity.

President Mahama said much as the power crisis was becoming inimical to the performance of industry, many industries were still confident in the Ghanaian economy by expanding and establishing their factories.

He mentioned the expansion programme at the Accra Brewery Limited, new cement and Sheanuts factories in Buipe in the Northern Region, and new cocoa Touton processing companies as some of the investments that were going on in spite of the power challenges.

He, however, appealed to Ghanaians to increase patronage and consumption of made-in-Ghana goods and services, to enable the indigenous industries to create more job opportunities for the teeming Ghanaians.

On pensioners, President Mahama gave the assurance that government would not engage in any act that would undermine or disadvantage them, but would pursue policies that would be fair to all.

"Government will continue to compensate pensioners appropriately and will therefore not engage in any act that will undermine or disadvantage them."

Mr Kofi Asamoah, Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress, said Ghana was losing her status as the preferred destination for investment on account of the power challenges, and urged government to explore all available avenues to redress the challenges.

He suggested to government to expand power generation by exploring other measures, apart from hydro electricity because of the erratic rainfalls the country was currently experiencing.

On sanitation, Mr Asamoah commended the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for instituting the National Sanitation Day, to rid the country of heaps of filth, and promised that organised labour would support the programme to succeed..

Mr Asamoah appealed to government to rescind its decision to privatize the Electricity Company of Ghana, and the agricultural development bank, as had been speculated around, adding that such a move could be inimical to development.