March 3, 2025
By Isaac Nsiah Foster
Frequent power outages, commonly known as dumsor, are crippling business activities at Kumasi’s Kejetia Market, leaving traders and transport operators counting their losses. The persistent blackouts have led to reduced sales, damaged electrical appliances, and heightened security concerns, with criminals exploiting the darkness to steal goods.
Speaking to Ghanaian Watch, some traders expressed frustration over the situation. “When the lights go off, the entire market turns pitch dark. You can’t even see someone sneaking behind your own stall to steal,” a hardware dealer lamented. Traders selling clothes, footwear, and toys say they are the worst hit, as thieves take advantage of the darkness to loot their wares.
Beyond theft, the blackouts are also affecting transportation at the bustling market. Oteng Gyasi, station master for the Kumasi-Tarkwa and Bogoso route, revealed that passengers often avoid the lorry terminal during power outages due to the fear of fraudsters, known locally as atotobotomu. “People are afraid to come into the terminal when the lights are off. They’d rather wait outside for hours until power is restored,” he noted.
Traders who hawk around moving vehicles in the market also reported sustaining injuries from falling into gutters and potholes due to poor visibility. “We sometimes twist our ankles or step into open drains while trying to sell in the darkness,” a hawker said.
Efforts to find out what measures are being taken to address the issue led to the Operations Manager of the Kumasi Kejetia Market, Nana Opoku Amankwah. According to him, there is currently no backup power supply to serve the market during outages.
The ongoing power crisis continues to impact businesses across Ghana. Economic analysts warn that if not addressed, the blackouts will further weaken the country’s economy. A report from the Institute of Statistical, Social, and Economic Research (ISSER) revealed that Ghana lost approximately billion in 2014 alone due to dumsor.
With no immediate solution in sight, traders and drivers at Kejetia are left with little choice but to invest in chargeable lights and generators, increasing their operational costs. Many fear that if the situation persists, their businesses may not survive.