University of Vaasa - Vaasan yliopisto

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Table showing secondary sources of energy in Ghana
Source of Capacity Usage Price range Consumptio
energy
n category
Candle/keros
Light during power 1- 3 GHc
ene
failure
lamp
101 Both rural
and urban
communities
affordable
by the poor.
Dry cell 1– 9 v Radio and flashlight 2 - 4 GHc Both rural
batteries
per set and urban
communities
affordable
by the poor.
Rechargeable 6 v Light, radio (embedded) 5.5 - 30 Rural and
lamps
and TV
GHc Urban
Car batteries 12 – 24 v Light, Radio and TV 50-200 GHc Rural
Generator – 2-7.5
diesel or kva
petrol
102
220 v(table-top Specific 590 GHc Urban
household appliances
households
including lights
and SMEs
The table above represents the results of the study. However, it was evident that, the
reason behind the choice of a particular secondary energy source varied greatly. Two
main reasons were identified - the household income and the purpose for which the
secondary energy is needed. Although the purpose was clear and easy to understand,
the issue of household income proved to be very difficult to ascertain. This is due to
the fact that, most Ghanaians are reluctant to reveal how much they earn.
These two underlining reasons are applicable for both urban and rural dwellers. The
household income of the urban dwellers in Ghana varied heavily based on academic
qualification and nature of work. Meanwhile, a giving range could be deduced from
the lowest income level to the highest income level using the basis identified. The
monthly income level within the urban dwellers ranged from as low as 50 dollars to
about 2000 dollars (approx. 75 - 3500 GHc). Upon this finding one can easily draw
conclusion as to the type of secondary source of energy one can afford. Based on this
premise the conclusion is that, the higher the income the more expensive the type of
secondary source of energy used. A typical situation in the urban centers of Ghana is
found in numerous high and low capacity generators and rechargeable lamps in
contrast with those living in the poorer communities using candles, kerosene lamps,
flash light, low priced rechargeable lamps as well as low capacity car batteries.
For the purpose for which the secondary energy is needed, finding revealed yet two
more underlining reasons: what triggered the purchased and why the particular
purchase. The finding concludes that regular power outrage, brown-out and
inaccessibility to grid were the main triggers. Power outage affects both rural and
urban dwellers that have access to the national grid. For this reason, lack of power
appears to be the major cause for the need of secondary sources of energy. Moreover,
there are situations whereby there is power, yet with insufficient voltage (brown-out)
101 1 GHc is equivalent to 10,000 old Ghana Cedis (1 dollar = 1.5 GHc)
102 Kva – kilovolt – ampere: is a unit of electrical power equal to 1000 volt – amperes.