The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has called for complete reform of the operations of entities responsible for the entire power sector.
The move, according to the association, was necessary to ensure proper management of the sector and address the power crisis in the country.
The AGI made this known in a communiqué issued by the National Council after a strategic workshop in Ada to examine some of the major barriers to private sector development in Ghana, particularly ensuring availability of power for industrial growth in 2015 and beyond.
The Association reminded government of its promise to contract Emergency Power Barges to increase the generation capacity by the end of the first quarter of 2015, calling on the Ministry of Energy and the Energy Commission to make available the Strategic National Energy Plan (SNEP) 2015-2030.
It said government should, as a matter of urgency, ensure full operation of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), considering its significant contribution to value-addition in the manufacturing sector, adding that TOR’s operation would ensure availability of Residual Fuel Oil for steam boilers in the industry at competitive price.
The Association kicked against the high importation of goods, stating that, “the high volume of imports would not inure to the growth of local industries.”
It called for a programme to scale up local manufacturing through import substitution.
It called for extensive and effective stakeholder consultation prior to the implementation of major policies and programmes.
“AGI is calling on all regulatory bodies and other institutions to avoid rushing the consultation processes leading to implementation of key policies that impact on businesses,” the Association said.
