TUC blames power crisis on neglect of sector

The Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) has blamed the current power crisis on the total neglect of the energy sector.

Dr. Tony Yaw Baah, the Deputy Secretary-General of the TUC said "what is causing the current power crisis is the neglect of the country's power infrastructure for too long".

Dr Baah blamed successive governments for not adding more generation to the country's electricity supply resulting in the worsening power crises.

He was addressing a May Day symposium at Tema on the theme, "Addressing the Energy Crisis, The Role of Organized Labour".

He cautioned that the energy crises, which had become an economic crisis, would degenerate into a social crisis if care was not taken. He added that "government cannot continue to neglect it any longer".

He reminded stakeholders of the negative impact of the energy crisis on businesses, industries, employers and employees.

Dr Baah observed that due to the industrialisation of Tema, the energy crises has had severe impact on the city, which has led to the laying off of many workers with more to follow should the situation worsen.

He called on all stakeholders to put in their quota to help government resolve the power issue instead of treading of accusations and blames.

He gave the assurance that workers were prepared to offer their help towards solving the crisis as it affected them most.

Mr Kofi Brako, the Member of Parliament for Tema Central, in a solidarity message, reiterated the need for stakeholders to unite in finding a solution to the crises. He challenged them to research into the problem and come out with workable solutions.

Meanwhile, some of the union leaders have expressed their unhappiness on how the TUC was seemingly siding with government on its handling of the energy crises.