By Hebrews Pouyeli Kumako
Residents and business operators in Keta and surrounding communities in the Volta Region are raising alarm over persistent and erratic power supply, which they say is severely disrupting economic activities, public services, and household life.
One of the hardest-hit groups is fishmongers and cold store operators, who depend heavily on stable electricity to preserve their perishable products.
Speaking in an interview with News Volta some traders, described the situation as distressing and economically damaging.
“The situation is very bad. We are tempted to believe that the country’s prolonged power crisis, known as ‘dumsor,’ is returning without any official communication,” she lamented.
She explained that unpredictable outages make it impossible for traders to plan, leading to frequent spoilage of fish and other frozen products, financial losses, and increased operational costs.
According to her, several cold store operators in Keta have recorded heavy losses, with some forced to reduce their stock or shut down operations temporarily.
Beyond the fishing and trading sector, small businesses, artisans, schools, and health facilities are also feeling the impact. Hairdressers, welders, tailors, and phone repairers say frequent blackouts have reduced productivity and customer confidence, while some health workers complain of disruptions in basic medical services.
Residents say household routines have been thrown into disarray, with challenges ranging from food preservation to night-time safety concerns.
The lack of official communication on the cause, schedule, or duration of the outages has fueled public anxiety, with many fearing a return of the notorious power crisis, locally known as “dumsor.”
Community members are therefore calling on the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and relevant authorities to urgently address the situation and keep consumers informed.
Residents are urging government and power sector agencies to prioritize the Volta Region in power stabilization efforts, stressing that reliable electricity is critical for local economic survival, especially in fishing-dominated coastal communities like Keta.
They warn that continued erratic supply could worsen poverty, increase unemployment, and destabilize livelihoods, if immediate solutions are not implemented.
Source News Volta
