Residents of Salaga in the East Gonja Municipality of the Savannah region hit the principal streets on Tuesday 25 June 2024, to register their displeasure with what they described as an erratic power supply in the area.
The aggrieved protestors were dressed in red, with some holding television sets and placards with inscriptions like “reliable power now, no more disco lights” and “we want our own power station,” among others.
According to them, the erratic power supply has slowed down economic activities, collapsed businesses, and in some instances, lives have been lost at the hospital.
Presenting a petition after the demonstration, the convenor of the group, Zulfawu Yakubu, said the situation is making life unbearable for the people.
“The terrible nature of electricity supply across the country is no news to us but our situation is worse off. We are telling you and your entire team that your performance is below the belt,” Yakubu said.
Yakubu further indicated that, “this poor electricity service delivery has drastically reduced both state and non-state institutional productivity as well as the very income that supports households.”
The youth, in their petition, are calling on the Energy Minister, managing director of ECG, VRA and NEDCO to take immediate action to address the challenge.
“Your support will be very crucial in bringing about this change and ensuring that our electricity is stabilised in the shortest possible time to install dignity in the people of East Gonja Municipality before we resist any attempt for the collection of bills in the community,” the youth added.
Residents are also calling on President Akufo-Addo and Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia to help the municipality with a substation and direct their power source from Buipe in the Central Gonja district.
The petition was received by the municipal coordinating director, Sylvester Naa Yaw Kyiileyeng, on behalf of the DCE, for further action to be taken.
In July 2022, two concerned youth groups in Salaga protested over the same power supply challenges, but their concerns have since not been addressed.
Reporting by Tahiru Abdul-Washiru in the Savannah region
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