Local industries reeling under power crisis

Ghanaian industries appear to be the hardest hit by the power crisis in the country.

Ghana has had to shed between 200 megawatts and 250MW of power over the last two weeks as a result of major maintenance works being conducted on most power plants in the country.

An announcement on Tuesday that gas supply from Nigeria will be halted as a result of labour unrests has further worsened the situation.

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has lamented the development, saying the power crisis is one of the major disincentives in doing business in the country.

Last month, the Association announced a record low confidence in doing business in Ghana.

“There is the need for drastic measures to be taken to turn the situation around,” said AGI President James Asare-Adjei last month.

Mr Asare-Adjei stated on Thursday, however, that the stakeholders in the energy sector should boost businesses and save jobs by exempting industrial enclaves from any plans to shed load.

He noted that power remains a major engine to businesses and to deny industries of it will mean spelling disaster on the country's economic fortunes.

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) seems to have factored AGI's plea into the latest guide to loadshedding as major industries are expected to be exempted from the exercise, William Boateng, ECG’s Public Relations Officer has said.

Meanwhile, AGI is scheduled to launch its 3rd Ghana Industries Awards at the Alisa Hotel on Thursday.

Slated for Saturday, November 22, this year’s Awards has been expanded to cover more sectors.

It is expected to cover six major categories including Best Company of the Year, Best Corporate Social Responsibility Award and Young Enterprise Company of the Year spanning 20 sectors.