Businesses across Ghana will face continued power outages as the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) has clarified that the ongoing electricity disruptions are the result of gas supply shortages to thermal plants, which in turn affects electricity transmission.
The country has been experiencing irregular power supply, sparking concerns that the nation might be returning to the dreaded days of “dumsor” (frequent power cuts). Addressing these concerns, GRIDCo’s Corporate Communications Manager, Dzifa Bampoh, explained that the gas supply challenges arise from “commercial issues” related to agreements, payments, and negotiations with gas suppliers.
“These commercial challenges mean that agreements, payments, and negotiations with gas suppliers need to be resolved. As a result, GRIDCo is unable to transmit the full quantum of power that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) requires to meet demand across the country,” she said.
Bampoh emphasized that the current outages are not connected to the recent shutdown of Sunon Asogli Power Ltd, which halted operations due to ECG’s outstanding debt.
The ongoing power outages have been particularly difficult for businesses that rely heavily on electricity, such as salons, barbering shops, cold stores, and various retailers. Salons, for example, depend on power for equipment like blow-dryers and styling tools, making it nearly impossible to serve customers during prolonged blackouts. Similarly, barbering shops, unable to operate electric clippers and other tools, have seen a drop in customers and income.
Cold stores and boutiques have been among the hardest hit, as refrigeration failures due to power cuts risk spoilage of perishable goods, while retailers lose foot traffic as customers avoid stores with unreliable electricity. Printing presses are also affected, with some businesses resorting to using small generators to complete urgent orders when power goes out.
One of the most frustrating aspects of these power cuts is the lack of advance warning. The outages occur without prior notice, leaving businesses unprepared for the frequent disruptions to their operations.
