Whether labeled ‘dumsor’ or ‘dum sie sie’, as preferred by Energy Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the current irregular power supply situation is undeniably wreaking havoc on numerous households and businesses.
Nestled within this complex are several printing shops. Once bustling hubs of activity, these establishments churned out a variety of materials, from receipts and brochures to calendars.
However, their operations have ground to a halt.
During a recent visit by Joy News, it was evident that one of these shops, typically staffed by four workers, now struggles to retain even two employees due to the erratic power supply.
This disruption has effectively paralyzed the shop’s operations.
Expressing dismay, one worker lamented, “Since Monday till now (Tuesday), we don’t have light here, so all the work that people brought here [within that period], they’ve had to take it away,” said one of the distraught workers.
Like many Ghanaians, these workers are clamoring for the implementation of a load-shedding timetable. Such a schedule would enable them to better plan their work schedules, ensuring they meet client deadlines and avoid losing contracts due to unforeseen power cuts.
A few stalls down, another shop faces similar challenges. Though smaller in scale, it plays an equally crucial role in the printing process. Here, employees find themselves resorting to manual stitching of books and other materials due to the frequent power outages.
The impact of ‘dumsor’ on these businesses has been severe. Some employees have been instructed to stay home temporarily, while those who remain on-site often find themselves idle, passing the time with sleep, reading, or engaging in other activities as they await a resolution to the power supply issues.