'Substandard electrical products increase power consumption' – Standards Authority

The use of substandard electrical products fuels high domestic electricity consumption in the country, thus taking a huge toll on domestic electricity consumers Mr. Francis Mensah Akpaloo, Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) Technical Supervisor, Electronics/Electrical and Communications Engineer has revealed.

Mr. Akpaloo, said substandard electrical appliances sometimes come with defective thermostats or malfunctioning power consumption control devices.

He said, “you may buy it at a lower cost but you end up paying more on electricity and also regular repair works on it…the authority’s surveillance has revealed that many electrical products including bulbs, cables, and home appliances on the market are substandard”.

Mr. Akpaloo stated at the tenth monthly stakeholder engagement seminar organized by the Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Office which is a platform rolled out for state and non-state actors to address national issues monitored by Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema.

Speaking on the topic: “Exposure of electrical appliances and gadgets to direct sunshine and elements of the weather: its impact,” Mr. Akpaloo explained GSA market surveillance established that substandard electrical cables are in the market and called for vigilance.

“A lot of the bulbs on the market have also failed our test; any bulb purported to be over 60 watts is not an energy-saving bulb. We have realized that some dealers swindle consumers to pay more for bulbs they claimed to be 70-120 watts which are less than 60 watts,” he said.

Mr. Akpaloo noted that GSA and the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) have embarked on a series of public sensitization campaigns to raise awareness of the danger and educate the public to avoid patronage of fake goods.

He noted that apart from the advocacy, GSA has been embarking on a series of activities such as periodic market surveillance and advised the public to be meticulous in the patronage of electrical products.

On patronage of electrical appliances and gadgets exposed to direct sunshine and elements of the weather, Mr. Akpaloo said such gadgets increase consumers’ cost of electricity as sometimes such appliances come with defective thermostats.

Mr. Akpaloo advised consumers to avoid buying electrical gadgets displayed in the sun as they deteriorate the efficiency and strength of the product.

Mr. Francis Ameyibor, Ghana News Agency, Tema Regional Manager commended GSA for intensification of their market surveillance to ensure that products on the market are wholesome and meet quality standards.

He said it is also important for consumers to properly examine products, to be sure of their quality and the expiry date before buying.

He also commended the CDA Consult and GSA for the effort to protect consumers from counterfeit electrical products.

Mr. Ameyibor noted that it is only through targeted and concerted efforts, involving media, manufacturers, governments, and organizations that would prevent the counterfeiters market from thriving.