Eight communities in the Agona East District, including Kofi Abam, Okotokwa, Kwame Ntiful, and five others, have been grappling with a prolonged lack of electricity for decades.
This has severely impacted daily life and economic activities, causing significant hardship for residents.
The situation is particularly dire for school children, who struggle to study at night without proper lighting, hindering their academic progress.
The absence of electricity not only stalls economic growth but also poses safety concerns for thousands of people living in darkness. Residents are forced to rely on candles and lanterns for lighting, which can be hazardous and increase the risk of fires.
Businesses that depend on electricity, such as food processing and storage, face significant challenges, leading to losses and economic instability.
Frustrated residents express concerns about increased vulnerability to criminal activities due to the lack of lighting, which can embolden criminals and make it difficult for residents to feel secure.
The prolonged lack of electricity has also affected healthcare, as medical facilities struggle to provide adequate care without reliable power.
Although some communities have been wired, they remain unconnected to the national grid, unlike neighboring areas, highlighting a stark disparity. Assembly members describe the situation as worrying, citing unfulfilled government promises to address the issue.
The Member of Parliament for Agona East, Queenstar Mame Pokuah Sawyerr, reports connecting 48 communities to the national grid through her initiatives but claims the current government has sabotaged her efforts to connect the remaining communities, ignoring her appeals to the Ministry of Energy.
Residents are calling for urgent action to address the lack of electricity, which they see as a fundamental right and a necessary component of modern life.
They urge the government to prioritize their needs and work towards a solution that will bring reliable power to their communities.
