Unstable power crippling business – AGI

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) says the current erratic power supply in the country is crippling businesses and this would take a heavy toll on the economy.

According to the president of the association, James Asare-Adjei, “it is a very unfortunate situation and it is severely affecting and crippling businesses.”

According to the AGI president, “the situation is dire and officials of the Electricity Company of Ghana, Volta River Authority and Gridco must manage it so we don’t kill businesses.

“We asked for special dispensation for our businesses especially industrial enclaves like Tema and other areas with industries but there has not been any commitment from the ECG in this regard.”

Mr. Asare-Adjei said these in an interview on TV3’s Midday Live, where he indicated that “even if we tell our businesses to manage the current situations by alternating production, it will not solve the problem.”

Ghana is currently struggling with stable power supply throughout the country following the shutdown of four power plants in the country including Asogli Power Plant and the recently commissioned Bui Power Plant.

Stakeholders in the power production industry comprising, VRA, ECG and Gridco have been unable to bring a closure to Ghana’s power sector over the last decade.

The situation has been predicted to worsen following a strike declared in Nigeria by workers of a gas production company that supplies Ghana with the much needed gas to run the plants in the country.

Following the irregular supply of gas, the Electricity Company of Ghana says it is unable to provide a load shedding timetable for homes and industries to follow, a phenomenon the AGI president has described as “unfortunate”.

Mr. Asare-Adjei further stated the situation has “gone beyond negotiations and serious action must be taken to ensure that businesses are saved.”