Energy Commission takes “save a watt” campaign to Kumasi

The Energy Commission has embarked on a nationwide campaign towards conserving energy to curtail energy crisis. Dubbed “Save A Watt campaign”, the move is to conserve energy and ensure fair distribution of the commodity in the face of the crisis facing the sector.

The campaign which was launched in Kumasi recently during a public forum attended by stakeholders including students, traders and social groups and associations, is to help change the attitude of consumers against unwise use of appliances. The campaign also seeks to encourage Ghanaians to buy only energy efficient appliances and the use of quality electrical materials and certified electricians to undertake electrical Installations and wiring.

It is also expected to contribute a bigger aggregate of conserved energy in a bid to address the energy crisis. The three-month campaign would target school children as energy conservation ambassadors in the homes and communities against high consumption of energy. The Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Joseph Yamin stressed the importance to conserve energy at the launch of the campaign to ensure a massive drop in energy consumption.

He stressed the need to close the 15% annual growth in the gap between high demand and low supply of energy. The Energy Conservation Group of Media L/A JHS in Accra put up a drama to educate Ghanaians on the need to conserve energy to compliment efforts of the government and the Electricity Company of Ghana to address the crisis.

The sketch by the group basically educated the public on the need to use appliances which consume less units of watts as in Compact Fluorescent lamps (CFL), television, standing fans, stereo systems, blender and computer against water heaters, hand dryers, electric iron , washing machines, air conditioners , cooker with oven and kettle. The actors also prevailed on the public to always switch off appliances when not in use to save on electricity bills.

Nana Osei Kwame Kumi, Asante Akim Juansahene, presided over the forum held at the Centre for National Culture in Kumasi, with Music maestro Kwadwo Antwi thrilling the audience with music. Meanwhile, Mr. Victor Owusu Jnr., Head of Public Affairs Unit of the Energy Commission has hinted that the Commission is contemplating introducing energy conservation in the school curriculum to influence the attitude of the public towards energy consumption.

Mr. Owusu also Indicated that during the period of the three-month “Save a watt” campaign, households which conserve energy would attract rewards