Dumsor Diaries: Welders and Seamstresses Struggle Amidst Power Outages

In Kumasi, welders and seamstresses are grappling with the challenges posed by persistent power outages, impacting their daily livelihoods significantly.

The return of frequent power cuts in the Ashanti regional capital has left many small business operators idle for hours each day, exacerbating their financial woes.

Tahiru, a welder in Ayigya, recounted how the erratic power supply disrupted his work schedule. Despite planning to work on a metallic mesh cage the previous day, he was forced to postpone due to power outages.

“I cannot work without electricity. I have to idle about the entire day. I have apprentices working under me. How do I pay them if there’s no work to do?” expressed Osman, another welder in the area.

Seamstresses along Alhaji Atta lane face similar challenges, with power cuts hindering their ability to complete sewing tasks and meet customer deadlines.

“Inflation is skyrocketing. At least if we had lights, we would work to get some money to fend for ourselves. The government isn’t helping us at all. What’s even annoying is the fact that we have to pay for electricity bills,” lamented Ohene, a tailor.

The situation is particularly challenging for apprentices and their masters, who struggle to manage customer expectations amidst the power crisis.

“They should admit it’s Dumsor. They should just give us a schedule to plan our lives. They should tell us the truth. I’ll be able to plan my life if given the schedule. I won’t waste my money and time to come here and idle about,” urged Samuel Atta, echoing the sentiments of many affected workers.

While the government attributes the power outages to ongoing maintenance in the energy sector, those affected are calling for transparency and a clear load management schedule to better navigate the challenges posed by the current situation.