V/R: Dumsor Cripples Businesses

Business owners and residents in Ho and several parts of the Volta Region are expressing growing frustration over frequent power outages that have persisted for close to a month. The erratic electricity supply, marked by sudden blackouts and prolonged low voltage, continues to affect activities during the day and at night, causing significant disruptions to livelihoods and daily routines. Many small and medium enterprises are bearing the brunt of the crisis, especially those reliant on cold storage, digital tools, and continuous lighting.

In response, some business owners have resorted to using generators, but the cost of fuel is proving to be unsustainable. “I now spend over GH₵150 on fuel every two days just to keep my salon running,” said Sumaila Ahmed, a barber at Ho Bankoe. Another business owner, Seyram Foe-Ahorney, who operates a cold store near the Ho Technical University, shared a similar sentiment. “Every day, I’m forced to choose between running a generator and making a profit.“ Households have not been spared either. Residents report food spoilage, damaged electrical appliances, and growing anxiety over the lack of reliable power.

In response to the growing concern, the Volta Regional Minister paid a visit to the Volta Regional Office of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in Ho, followed by another visit to GRIDCo in Akosombo. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of power supply in the region, noting the widespread disruptions caused to businesses and households. Ms. Christina Jatoe-Kaleo, ECG’s Volta Regional General Manager, attributed the outages to voltage fluctuations from GRIDCo. She assured the Minister that ECG and GRIDCo are working together to restore stability to the power  supply.