The Ghana Union of Traders' Association (GUTA) has called for the immediate release of a load-shedding, ‘dumsor’ timetable, from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), to aid in better business planning for its members.

In statement signed by, the Director of Communication for GUTA, signed by Joseph Paddy, the association expressed worry over the adverse effects of the frequent power disruptions on the economy, particularly its detrimental impact on productivity.

Despite incessant appeals from various quarters, including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC), for ECG to furnish a transparent load-management schedule, no definitive response has been forthcoming.

GUTA bemoaned the substantial operational expenses incurred by businesses due to the unpredictable power supply, often forcing reliance on generators. This reliance, in turn, leads to additional costs for fuel procurement and storage in anticipation of power outages.

A representative for GUTA emphasised the plight faced by numerous shop owners who are compelled to resort to generators amidst the erratic power supply, further exacerbating their financial burdens.

GUTA's President commended the proposed 24-hour economy initiative by former President Mahama, citing its potential to alleviate the challenges posed by power outages.

GUTA also highlighted the widespread repercussions of the power outages across various sectors

“Manufacturers, in particular, are grappling with maintaining production schedules and workforce planning due to the inconsistent power supply, which not only escalates production costs but also exacerbates the living conditions of citizens,” the statement stressed.