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Children forced to study at odd places as power crisis worsens

By Myjoyonline.com
General News Children forced to study at odd places as power crisis worsens
JAN 27, 2015 LISTEN

The ongoing power crisis in the country seems to be taking a toll on children as some of them have been forced to leave their homes at night to study at odd places.

Some children as young as nine years, have been left with no option than to leave their homes in search of places with light where they can do their homework.

Joy News' Naa Deede Tetey met with some of these children who were doing their homework in front of the SG-SSB Bank on the Fanofa Street in Kokomlemle in Accra.

Three children at the time of Naa's visit were lying on the ground working on their assignment using the light from the bank because there is blackout in the neighbourhood.

The banks generator which provides light was their only hope as they strive to gain knowledge.

These children who aspire to be doctors and nurses in the future are appealing to government to solve the problems with the power sector to enable them achieve their dreams.

“Maybe there is a fault on the power so the repairers should repair it so that it will not be difficult for us”, an 8-year-old girl said.

However, the power crisis seems far from ending as GRIDCo has hinted of intensified load shedding in the coming days due to a generation shortfall of more than 500 megawatts.

The shortfall represents almost a third of the entire 2,000 megawatts needed for distribution.

According to the Volta River Authority (VRA), the power crisis has intensified as a result of low water levels in the Akosombo, Bui and Kpone Dams, coupled with inadequate gas supply from Nigeria and the breakdown of some power generators.

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