The Concerned Home-Used Dealers Association in Kumasi are asking the Energy Commission to consider their plea to lift the ban on the importation of second-hand appliances.
The Energy Commission has announced a ban on the importation of used and substandard electrical appliances, but the traders fear they are being pushed out of business.
The Energy Commission in a statement said 19 used electrical appliances and renewable energy products will be affected by the ban.
These include, TV sets, air conditioners, washing machines and computers.
After a series of press conferences and engagements with the Energy Commission, the dealers fear they have been left in a limbo.
Ashanti Regional Deputy Secretary of the Concerned Home Use Dealers Association, Abdul Malik said they are worried the Energy Commission has discounted their concerns.
“They issued a press statement. They alleged all we said in our press conferences were false. This means the government has banned the importation of home use appliances.
“We were not informed. They failed to engage us the way we wanted. It is as if they have passed a law without a stakeholder concern,” he said.
According to the Energy Commission, the new regulation is to save consumers from buying unsuitable appliances as well save the economy from high energy demands and cost.
But the home-used dealers argue such high electricity consumption appliances are longer in the system.
They claim the newly-imported appliances do not consume much electricity as purported by the Energy Commission.
“Personal effect means personal electrical appliances that one carries over to a country to be used. That is allowed. But when the appliance is to be sold here, it is disallowed. They say it consumes electricity. But won’t the personal appliances from overseas also consume electricity,” Evans Senyah, a dealer quizzed.
Despite the Energy Commission’s quest to safeguard the health of citizens from the hazards of used electrical appliances, consumers remain adamant and patronise second-hand electrical appliances.
Some say it is affordable and more durable compared to new appliances.
Tiwaa says “The brand-new electrical appliances are expensive. The home-used appliances are affordable. It does not consume much electricity as they say. I bought a standing fan from this store. I have used it for over 5 years. It has not developed any fault. Neither have I sent it to a repairer,”
“It is difficult getting the parts of brand-new appliances when they are faulty. The home use appliances are durable. It is easy getting the parts in almost every electrical shop. It does not consume much power,” Phillip Amoah said.
Maame Ama added “The refrigerator I use is second hand. I have used it for almost 18 years. I only filled the gas recently. It is working perfectly,”
The Concerned Home Use Dealers Association has called for a resolution to their grievances.
“We have no issue with the Energy Commission. We only want the government to hear our plea. The Energy Commission influenced parliament to pass the law. They may have told the government they had a meet-up with us. But that is not the case.
“The Energy Commission did not engage us in any way. We only had 1 meeting with them, including GUTA, our parent body. We never saw them again,” Abdul Malik said.
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