The Vice-President of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS), Professor Aba Bentil Andam, has drawn attention to the fact that a high concentration of naturally occurring radioactive materials such as radon, when inhaled for a longer period, could cause lung cancer,
She said radon was the emerging radioactive gas that caused lung cancer when inhaled for a longer period, for which reason it was necessary to have a national radon map to help identify the geographical areas where the population was most at risk of exposure above the reference levels established by the World Health Organisation.
Prof Andam made this known when she delivered a lecture at the GAAS annual lecture on the theme: “Naturally occurring radioactive materials in our homes”.
She said recent studies on indoor and lung cancer in Europe, North America and Asia indicated that radon causes a substantial number of lung cancers in the general population.
“Due to the intake of radon gas, the radioactive radon progeny species are deposited in the respiratory organs, hence the lung organs receive almost the entire dose,” she said.
She explained that radon emanates from rocks and the soil and tends to concentrate in enclosed spaces such as underground mines or houses, adding that other sources were building materials and underground water.
She said one method to decrease the level of radon was to increase ventilation of the home and buildings to allow the radon to escape.
Another method was to seal floors and cracks to reduce the radon indoors.
Prof Andam said it was also necessary for a monitoring programme to be carried out nationwide to measure radon content in the air indoors, taking into account t new scientific findings.
“There should be a national programme for estimating radon levels and effective doses to persons in the indoor environment of Ghana and regrouping all efforts dealing with it and turn them into collective work,” she said.
She also said educational programmes were essential for health officials and the public to make them aware of the health threat from radon and associated risk factors such as smoking.
Prof Andam called for scientific research on radon applications in earth sciences and radiation safety at nuclear and industrial facilities.
Friday 24 May 2013
Happy Mothers Day to our illustrous mothers, Daily Graphic, May 12, 2013.
“No language can express the power, and beauty, and heroism, and majesty of a mother's love. It shrinks not where man cowers, and grows stronger where man faints, and over wastes of worldly fortunes sends the radiance of its quenchless fidelity like a star.” Edwin Hubbell Chapin.
THE Gender and Children’s Page decided that on the occasion of this year’s Mother’s Day, which falls tomorrow May 12, it would speak with a number of widows at Mallam, Accra, to share their stories of the hardships they go through, to provide for the needs of their families.
Their contention is that once a mother is dead, there is no hope because of the fear of loss of care, love and affection. But when a father is lost, there is hope that a mother would be there to cater for the children left behind.
Madam Comfort Boatemaa, a fried yam seller at Mallam, lost her husband about 13 years ago while their son was 15 years.
With the fried yam business, she has taken care of her son, who completed the University of Development Studies last year and is doing his national service.
“I had no choice than to take full responsibility after the death of my husband. I took him through junior high school to senior high and then to the university. It was not easy at all as I had to toil hard to see him through his education,” she said.
She explained that giving her son, who is now 24 years, the best education was her cherished dream because she did not have the opportunity to go to school due to financial problems.
Therefore, she was determined not to let financial problems be a hindrance to her son’s education.
“Sometimes when the market is very good, I get about GH₵100 and other times, GH₵50. While in school I sent him money or he could come home for money whenever it became necessary,” she said.
Madam Boatemaa said she felt proud and happy whenever she saw the son because she has been through very hard and tough times, especially when her son was in school.
Madam Comfort Awanu continues to care for her children with love after the death of her husband last year. She salls gari to take care of her four children.
“My husband died leaving behind four children who are between the ages of 5 and 15. I lost the money I was using for my business while he was sick, so I became financially handicapped after he died,” she said.
Madam Awanu, who stays at Awoshie, now buys the gari on credit and sells it to get money for the upkeep of her children who are all in school. Her wish is to make money so that she can establish her own small restaurant because according to her, the money she makes from the sale of gari was not enough for their upkeep.
Madam Grace Quaye lost her husband about 11 years ago and had, since then, been taking care of their two children.
The kenkey seller said she had been in the business for over 12 years, hence, she took care of her two children, who are now 23 and 24 and working.
She said though they could not continue to the university due to financial problems, they were both working at good places and were earning some money for themselves.
The mother of five, Madam Dora Baako has not lost her husband but he was not taking care of the children.
“He divorced me and married another woman but he is not taking care of the children. Therefore, I sell okro to make a living for myself and my family,” she said.
“Two of my children are in the senior high school while the others are in primary school. Meanwhile, I make sales of between GH₵20 to GH₵30 a day,” she said.
The women urged other women who found themselves in similar situations not to give up but to strive to take care of their children because they would not regret it.
They also advised women to continue to give love and care to their children as they have always done and not abandon them, no matter the circumstances.
“No woman should ever leave her child on the street, in everything you do, commitment yourself to it and work hard to ensure that your children are cared for,” they said in their respective statements.
THE Gender and Children’s Page decided that on the occasion of this year’s Mother’s Day, which falls tomorrow May 12, it would speak with a number of widows at Mallam, Accra, to share their stories of the hardships they go through, to provide for the needs of their families.
Their contention is that once a mother is dead, there is no hope because of the fear of loss of care, love and affection. But when a father is lost, there is hope that a mother would be there to cater for the children left behind.
Madam Comfort Boatemaa, a fried yam seller at Mallam, lost her husband about 13 years ago while their son was 15 years.
With the fried yam business, she has taken care of her son, who completed the University of Development Studies last year and is doing his national service.
“I had no choice than to take full responsibility after the death of my husband. I took him through junior high school to senior high and then to the university. It was not easy at all as I had to toil hard to see him through his education,” she said.
She explained that giving her son, who is now 24 years, the best education was her cherished dream because she did not have the opportunity to go to school due to financial problems.
Therefore, she was determined not to let financial problems be a hindrance to her son’s education.
“Sometimes when the market is very good, I get about GH₵100 and other times, GH₵50. While in school I sent him money or he could come home for money whenever it became necessary,” she said.
Madam Boatemaa said she felt proud and happy whenever she saw the son because she has been through very hard and tough times, especially when her son was in school.
Madam Comfort Awanu continues to care for her children with love after the death of her husband last year. She salls gari to take care of her four children.
“My husband died leaving behind four children who are between the ages of 5 and 15. I lost the money I was using for my business while he was sick, so I became financially handicapped after he died,” she said.
Madam Awanu, who stays at Awoshie, now buys the gari on credit and sells it to get money for the upkeep of her children who are all in school. Her wish is to make money so that she can establish her own small restaurant because according to her, the money she makes from the sale of gari was not enough for their upkeep.
Madam Grace Quaye lost her husband about 11 years ago and had, since then, been taking care of their two children.
The kenkey seller said she had been in the business for over 12 years, hence, she took care of her two children, who are now 23 and 24 and working.
She said though they could not continue to the university due to financial problems, they were both working at good places and were earning some money for themselves.
The mother of five, Madam Dora Baako has not lost her husband but he was not taking care of the children.
“He divorced me and married another woman but he is not taking care of the children. Therefore, I sell okro to make a living for myself and my family,” she said.
“Two of my children are in the senior high school while the others are in primary school. Meanwhile, I make sales of between GH₵20 to GH₵30 a day,” she said.
The women urged other women who found themselves in similar situations not to give up but to strive to take care of their children because they would not regret it.
They also advised women to continue to give love and care to their children as they have always done and not abandon them, no matter the circumstances.
“No woman should ever leave her child on the street, in everything you do, commitment yourself to it and work hard to ensure that your children are cared for,” they said in their respective statements.
The big issue, Daily Graphic, May 20, 2013
Complied by: Salomey Appiah
The big issue
The Kantamanto Market is one of the biggest markets in Ghana. It is in Accra and hosts over 10,000 traders and other people.
The traders deal mainly in all kinds of second-hand wares, including clothing, footwear and bags. Food items and vehicle spare parts can also be found in the market.
The market is also an income-generating avenue for head potters who carry goods from warehouses to the shops and from the shops to vehicles.
Many tailors and seamstresses cash in on the operations of second-hand clothes dealers and ply their trade at the market, making alterations on the second-hand clothes and bags.
Other people, including cobblers, chop bar operators and ironing boys, earn their livelihood at the market.
Portions of the market have been ravaged by fire several times, leading to loss of property and money.
The congested nature of the market makes it almost impossible for Fire Service personnel to put out fire outbreaks there in a timely manner.
The Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Mr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuiye, said at a press conference on Monday, May 6, 2013 that the market would be reconstructed into a modern market to befit the city of Accra.
However, the traders claim to have the right to the land on which the market is built. They claimed the land was leased to them for 50 years by the Ghana Railway Authority. They said they paid GHc280,000, while they pay GH30, 000 annually.
There have been calls by the traders on the government to leave the land, as they are prepared to reconstruct the market themselves. This position stems out of the fear that the land may not be given back to them after the reconstruction of the market by the AMA.
This has resulted in clashes between the traders and the police, who were tasked to protect the task force and personnel of Zoomlion who are clearing the debris at the site.
FACT BOX
1. 2,314 fire outbreaks were recorded in the country in 2010.
2. In 2012, the country lost GH¢1.47 million to 704 fire outbreaks in the first quarter, as against GH¢1.62 million losses recorded in the same period of 2011.
3. Some 1,443 fire outbreaks have been recorded nationwide in the first quarter of 2013, out of which 178 people have died.
2. The cost of damage to properties in the fire outbreaks recorded is estimated at GHc8,996,584.
5. The Kantamanto Market got burnt on Sunday, May 5, 2013.
6. Leaders of the Kantamanto Joint Traders Association provided documents to show that the land was leased to them by the Ghana Railway Authority for 50 years, out of which they had spent five years.
A ferocious fire swept through the Kantamanto Market on May 5, 2013, destroying the livelihoods of thousands of people.
This is what a cross-section of Ghanaians have to say about that fire outbreak:
Mr Edward Obiri Ampong, Public Relations Officer: The rate of fire outbreaks in the country is too much, hence the need to take a critical look at measures to reduce them. Also, victims of fire outbreaks should not be too quick to draw conclusions on the causes of the outbreaks without looking for the root causes. There could be internal causes which need to be looked at before the external causes.
Meanwhile, the government should negotiate with the traders and see how best the problem could be solved.
Mrs Elizabeth Amankwah Asumah, second-hand clothes importer: The government’s idea to rebuild the market is good, but it should involve the traders for them to also make their contributions and ensure that when completed it will be given back to them. The government should consider the women and the loss of their livelihood and ensure that the land is handed over to the traders.
Mr Maxwell Cudjoe Owusu, second-clothes importer: The fire was an unfortunate incident. The government must negotiate with the traders, since they are not strangers but citizens of the nation. The women should be considered and given a portion of the land to start work as soon as possible, so that they can rebuild themselves to regain their losses.
Mrs Josephine Kissi, a trader: The traders should allow the government to construct a modern market which is accessible to all. Also, when it is well structured the Fire Service would have a way to the market and stop future fire outbreaks.
Meanwhile, the government should keep its promise to give the market back to the traders after it has been rebuilt.
The big issue
The Kantamanto Market is one of the biggest markets in Ghana. It is in Accra and hosts over 10,000 traders and other people.
The traders deal mainly in all kinds of second-hand wares, including clothing, footwear and bags. Food items and vehicle spare parts can also be found in the market.
The market is also an income-generating avenue for head potters who carry goods from warehouses to the shops and from the shops to vehicles.
Many tailors and seamstresses cash in on the operations of second-hand clothes dealers and ply their trade at the market, making alterations on the second-hand clothes and bags.
Other people, including cobblers, chop bar operators and ironing boys, earn their livelihood at the market.
Portions of the market have been ravaged by fire several times, leading to loss of property and money.
The congested nature of the market makes it almost impossible for Fire Service personnel to put out fire outbreaks there in a timely manner.
The Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Mr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuiye, said at a press conference on Monday, May 6, 2013 that the market would be reconstructed into a modern market to befit the city of Accra.
However, the traders claim to have the right to the land on which the market is built. They claimed the land was leased to them for 50 years by the Ghana Railway Authority. They said they paid GHc280,000, while they pay GH30, 000 annually.
There have been calls by the traders on the government to leave the land, as they are prepared to reconstruct the market themselves. This position stems out of the fear that the land may not be given back to them after the reconstruction of the market by the AMA.
This has resulted in clashes between the traders and the police, who were tasked to protect the task force and personnel of Zoomlion who are clearing the debris at the site.
FACT BOX
1. 2,314 fire outbreaks were recorded in the country in 2010.
2. In 2012, the country lost GH¢1.47 million to 704 fire outbreaks in the first quarter, as against GH¢1.62 million losses recorded in the same period of 2011.
3. Some 1,443 fire outbreaks have been recorded nationwide in the first quarter of 2013, out of which 178 people have died.
2. The cost of damage to properties in the fire outbreaks recorded is estimated at GHc8,996,584.
5. The Kantamanto Market got burnt on Sunday, May 5, 2013.
6. Leaders of the Kantamanto Joint Traders Association provided documents to show that the land was leased to them by the Ghana Railway Authority for 50 years, out of which they had spent five years.
A ferocious fire swept through the Kantamanto Market on May 5, 2013, destroying the livelihoods of thousands of people.
This is what a cross-section of Ghanaians have to say about that fire outbreak:
Mr Edward Obiri Ampong, Public Relations Officer: The rate of fire outbreaks in the country is too much, hence the need to take a critical look at measures to reduce them. Also, victims of fire outbreaks should not be too quick to draw conclusions on the causes of the outbreaks without looking for the root causes. There could be internal causes which need to be looked at before the external causes.
Meanwhile, the government should negotiate with the traders and see how best the problem could be solved.
Mrs Elizabeth Amankwah Asumah, second-hand clothes importer: The government’s idea to rebuild the market is good, but it should involve the traders for them to also make their contributions and ensure that when completed it will be given back to them. The government should consider the women and the loss of their livelihood and ensure that the land is handed over to the traders.
Mr Maxwell Cudjoe Owusu, second-clothes importer: The fire was an unfortunate incident. The government must negotiate with the traders, since they are not strangers but citizens of the nation. The women should be considered and given a portion of the land to start work as soon as possible, so that they can rebuild themselves to regain their losses.
Mrs Josephine Kissi, a trader: The traders should allow the government to construct a modern market which is accessible to all. Also, when it is well structured the Fire Service would have a way to the market and stop future fire outbreaks.
Meanwhile, the government should keep its promise to give the market back to the traders after it has been rebuilt.
Medical Fund for pensioners launched Daliy Graphic May 18, 2013, Pg 20
MEDICAL fund to cater for the health needs of members of the Ghana National Pensioners Association (NPA) has been launched.
The fund is intended to complement the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and provide funds for the health needs that are not covered by the NHIS.
Ageing makes pensioners vulnerable to all kinds of health conditions.
Speaking at the launch of the fund, the General Secretary of the NPA, Mr Edward Ameyibor, said members of the association would be levied an agreed amount monthly to generate revenue for the fund.
“Many pensioners suffer from sickness and diseases as a result of the work they retired from hence after retirement there are not enough funds to take care of their health,” Mr Ameyibor said.
The Pensioners Medical Fund, he said, could help the association to raise funds to cover the medical expenses of its members irrespective of the disease and the cost.
Mr Ameyibor explained that the initiative was not being sponsored by the government or the Social Security & National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
He said the fund would be administered by a special board that would invest the proceeds and take care of all other operations involved.
The medical fund for the NPA would start from next year after a gestation period of a year.
He called on pensioners who were not members of the NPA to join the association.
Mr Ameyibor urged members of the public and corporate bodies to support and donate to the Pensioners Medical Funds to help save pensioners.
The fund is intended to complement the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and provide funds for the health needs that are not covered by the NHIS.
Ageing makes pensioners vulnerable to all kinds of health conditions.
Speaking at the launch of the fund, the General Secretary of the NPA, Mr Edward Ameyibor, said members of the association would be levied an agreed amount monthly to generate revenue for the fund.
“Many pensioners suffer from sickness and diseases as a result of the work they retired from hence after retirement there are not enough funds to take care of their health,” Mr Ameyibor said.
The Pensioners Medical Fund, he said, could help the association to raise funds to cover the medical expenses of its members irrespective of the disease and the cost.
Mr Ameyibor explained that the initiative was not being sponsored by the government or the Social Security & National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
He said the fund would be administered by a special board that would invest the proceeds and take care of all other operations involved.
The medical fund for the NPA would start from next year after a gestation period of a year.
He called on pensioners who were not members of the NPA to join the association.
Mr Ameyibor urged members of the public and corporate bodies to support and donate to the Pensioners Medical Funds to help save pensioners.
Assessing our roles in maintaining family unity Daily Graphic, May 18, 2013 Pg 11
A number of residents in Accra interviewed on the occasion of International Day of the Family, have expressed various views on the impact of the family on their lives and what could be done to promote and maintain family unity and family cohesion.
While some called for the sustenance of a strong extended family unit, others think the extended family unit has outlived its usefulness and argued for the maintenance of the nuclear family unit.
The event, celebrated on May 15, was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993. It is observed to reflect the importance the international community attaches to families and creates awareness of issues relating to families while increasing knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.
More importantly, the day highlights the significance of families as fundamental units of humanity, while providing opportunity for governments, organisations and individuals to encourage knowledge of the challenges, strengths and needs of families.
Mr Samuel Addo Biney, a supplier of safety goods, said extended family was a thing of the past because now everyone thought only about his children, himself and the wife.
Sharing his experience with this reporter, he said his father, who died about 20 years ago, took care of his extended family including nephews and nieces hoping that when he was not there the family would take care of his children.
“But all the family members my father took care of did not care for us. When you go to them they would tell you that now it is myself, children and wife,” he said.
“I feel bitter about the extended family for what they did to me hence I have also decided to do away with the extended family and take good care of my children and wife,” he said.
Mr Biney emphasised that whenever the need arose for him and his wife to offer help to any family member, both of them would do consultations and decide on what to do.
He stated that some family members would prefer to help friends because they were worth helping than family members, adding “that most extended family members prefer to organise elaborate funeral ceremonies for their deceased relatives than to give out money to help them when they are alive and in need”.
However, Ms Judith Donkor says “the extended family unit should never be undermined because when all hope is lost one or two members of the extended family would come to your rescue”.
She said helping a member of the extended family unit tended to have a long-term effect.
Sharing her experience, she said her cousin gave her some money to start a business which was now benefitting her greatly and pointed out that “I would not hesitate to help him or his children”.
She also said her sister who took care of her did so at the expense of her education, adding that “I really appreciate her effort”.
“Years after, my sister’s daughter (niece) gave birth and I have adopted the child to take care of her. I adopted the child also because of what my sister did for me,” she explained.
Ms Donkor indicated that nothing should be done to undermine the extended family unit.
“My dad died so early and my mother did not have money for me to continue my education. My uncle who could have helped me to continue my education said I should go and learn hairdressing”.
This is the experience of Ms Rita Donkor, a trader who was forced to sacrifice her school to take care of her siblings because no family member was willing to help them.
She said as she grew up, her uncle was proud to say that she was his niece. Ms Donkor, however, stressed the need for extended family relationship, adding that one could sometimes easily get assistance from a family member.
“But I would not hesitate to help any family member when the need arises because some of the family members are worth helping and supporting because someday they might return your kind gesture,” she said.
Mrs Victoria Apenteng for her part supported the argument in favour of a strongly extended family unit, saying “undermining of the extended family unit could have negative effects that will undermine unity in the nuclear family unit”.
While some called for the sustenance of a strong extended family unit, others think the extended family unit has outlived its usefulness and argued for the maintenance of the nuclear family unit.
The event, celebrated on May 15, was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993. It is observed to reflect the importance the international community attaches to families and creates awareness of issues relating to families while increasing knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.
More importantly, the day highlights the significance of families as fundamental units of humanity, while providing opportunity for governments, organisations and individuals to encourage knowledge of the challenges, strengths and needs of families.
Mr Samuel Addo Biney, a supplier of safety goods, said extended family was a thing of the past because now everyone thought only about his children, himself and the wife.
Sharing his experience with this reporter, he said his father, who died about 20 years ago, took care of his extended family including nephews and nieces hoping that when he was not there the family would take care of his children.
“But all the family members my father took care of did not care for us. When you go to them they would tell you that now it is myself, children and wife,” he said.
“I feel bitter about the extended family for what they did to me hence I have also decided to do away with the extended family and take good care of my children and wife,” he said.
Mr Biney emphasised that whenever the need arose for him and his wife to offer help to any family member, both of them would do consultations and decide on what to do.
He stated that some family members would prefer to help friends because they were worth helping than family members, adding “that most extended family members prefer to organise elaborate funeral ceremonies for their deceased relatives than to give out money to help them when they are alive and in need”.
However, Ms Judith Donkor says “the extended family unit should never be undermined because when all hope is lost one or two members of the extended family would come to your rescue”.
She said helping a member of the extended family unit tended to have a long-term effect.
Sharing her experience, she said her cousin gave her some money to start a business which was now benefitting her greatly and pointed out that “I would not hesitate to help him or his children”.
She also said her sister who took care of her did so at the expense of her education, adding that “I really appreciate her effort”.
“Years after, my sister’s daughter (niece) gave birth and I have adopted the child to take care of her. I adopted the child also because of what my sister did for me,” she explained.
Ms Donkor indicated that nothing should be done to undermine the extended family unit.
“My dad died so early and my mother did not have money for me to continue my education. My uncle who could have helped me to continue my education said I should go and learn hairdressing”.
This is the experience of Ms Rita Donkor, a trader who was forced to sacrifice her school to take care of her siblings because no family member was willing to help them.
She said as she grew up, her uncle was proud to say that she was his niece. Ms Donkor, however, stressed the need for extended family relationship, adding that one could sometimes easily get assistance from a family member.
“But I would not hesitate to help any family member when the need arises because some of the family members are worth helping and supporting because someday they might return your kind gesture,” she said.
Mrs Victoria Apenteng for her part supported the argument in favour of a strongly extended family unit, saying “undermining of the extended family unit could have negative effects that will undermine unity in the nuclear family unit”.
Refrigerator rebate scheme begins Daily Graphic Pg 20
A nationwide roll out of the refrigerator rebate and exchange scheme to dispose of old and used refrigerators that are destructive to the environment has begun.
Under the scheme, users of old but working fridges and freezers are encourage to tender them in to participatory shops for rebates to buy new and environmentally responsive ones.
The initiative, funded by the government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is also to ensure that the environment is protected from ozone depleting materials.
New refrigerating appliances under the scheme could be purchased from GH180 to GH800 after the discount is applied.
Refrigerators marked 2-Stars will attract a discount of GH150, while those with 3-Stars and above will have a discount of GH200.
At a news conference in Accra to launch the programme, the Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Dr Alfred Ofosu Ahenkorah, said prices under the scheme had been reduced for a limited period.
He explained that an efficient household refrigerator would consume less than 500kWh per year and, as such, reduce annual electricity bill.
The target set for selling 50,000 refrigerators in three years, he noted, could save an estimated 35 million units of electricity, adding that that would also reduce national power consumption.
The pilot programme for the scheme started in Accra on September 19, 2012 and has received 2,100 refrigerators for exchange from the two participatory shops — Appliance Masters and Somovision.
Two shops — ROWI Electronics and Melcom — have been added to the participatory shops for the nationwide roll out.
Dr Ahenkorah said other shops would be going through the process for inclusion on the scheme as time went on.
He urged participatory shops to fully comply with the labelling requirement and carry the stickers on all the refrigerators they offered for sale.
He said the scheme was expected to follow the success story of the energy saving light bulbs which helped to save energy cost of more than $33 million per annum.
He said old refrigerators would be sent to the City Waste Company Limited which had imported specialised equipment for the disposal of the fridges.
“These refrigerants are 2,400 times more destructive than carbon dioxide emissions and also the major cause of ozone layer depletions,” he said.
He added that discussions were also ongoing between the commission, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Scrap Dealers Association on how to deal with the scrapping of refrigerators to avoid the burning of cables.
Under the scheme, users of old but working fridges and freezers are encourage to tender them in to participatory shops for rebates to buy new and environmentally responsive ones.
The initiative, funded by the government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is also to ensure that the environment is protected from ozone depleting materials.
New refrigerating appliances under the scheme could be purchased from GH180 to GH800 after the discount is applied.
Refrigerators marked 2-Stars will attract a discount of GH150, while those with 3-Stars and above will have a discount of GH200.
At a news conference in Accra to launch the programme, the Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Dr Alfred Ofosu Ahenkorah, said prices under the scheme had been reduced for a limited period.
He explained that an efficient household refrigerator would consume less than 500kWh per year and, as such, reduce annual electricity bill.
The target set for selling 50,000 refrigerators in three years, he noted, could save an estimated 35 million units of electricity, adding that that would also reduce national power consumption.
The pilot programme for the scheme started in Accra on September 19, 2012 and has received 2,100 refrigerators for exchange from the two participatory shops — Appliance Masters and Somovision.
Two shops — ROWI Electronics and Melcom — have been added to the participatory shops for the nationwide roll out.
Dr Ahenkorah said other shops would be going through the process for inclusion on the scheme as time went on.
He urged participatory shops to fully comply with the labelling requirement and carry the stickers on all the refrigerators they offered for sale.
He said the scheme was expected to follow the success story of the energy saving light bulbs which helped to save energy cost of more than $33 million per annum.
He said old refrigerators would be sent to the City Waste Company Limited which had imported specialised equipment for the disposal of the fridges.
“These refrigerants are 2,400 times more destructive than carbon dioxide emissions and also the major cause of ozone layer depletions,” he said.
He added that discussions were also ongoing between the commission, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Scrap Dealers Association on how to deal with the scrapping of refrigerators to avoid the burning of cables.
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