CJA holds forum on energy crisis in Takoradi

Takoradi, June 30-GNA- Mr. Ato Ahwoi, a leading member of the Committee For Joint Action (CJA), on Friday cautioned the government against increasing electricity tariffs because that would place more burden on the people who are struggling to make ends meet.

He was speaking at a forum on the energy crisis organised by the CJA under the theme: "The Energy Crisis, The Way Forward" at Takoradi. Mr. Ahwoi said there is the likelihood of the government raising electricity tariffs due to the use of diesel plants to generate electricity to supplement power from the Aboadze Thermal Plant. He said the price of diesel fuel recently went up and the government should have taken this into account before ordering the diesel plants. Mr Ahwoi said construction of a hydroelectric dam at Bui would not solve the country's energy crisis because the dam would rely on the Volta Lake as the Akosombo dam.

He questioned the rationale for the re-denomination exercise if the Eco, the common currency for ECOWAS was going to be introduced. Mr Ahwoi hoped the re-denomination exercise would be managed to prevent it from triggering inflation.

Mr Kwesi Pratt Junior, a member of the CJA, said the energy crisis has not been caused by the low water level of the Akosombo Dam but the failure of the government to heed the advice of energy experts to concentrate on the development of thermal energy. He called on the opposition parties to unite as a strong force against the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Mr Pratt asked the opposition parties to mobilise the masses and to show their non-performing executives the exist.

Miss Ama Benyiwa Doe and Dr Omane Boamah were the other CJA members who spoke at the forum.