THE EFFECTS OF UNRELIABLE POWER SUPPLY ON THE OPERATIONS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMEs) IN GHANA

Asmah Nathaniel (2025) THE EFFECTS OF UNRELIABLE POWER SUPPLY ON THE OPERATIONS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMEs) IN GHANA. Pénzügyi és Számviteli Kar.

	PDF Thesis .pdf Hozzáférés joga: Csak nyilvántartásba vett egyetemi IP címekről nyitható meg Download (1MB)
	PDF Summary.pdf Hozzáférés joga: Csak nyilvántartásba vett egyetemi IP címekről nyitható meg Download (296kB)
	PDF Thesis_Review_Asmah Nathaniel_by_Ábel.pdf Hozzáférés joga: Bizalmas dokumentum (bírálat) Download (118kB)
	PDF Nat review.pdf Hozzáférés joga: Bizalmas dokumentum (bírálat) Download (1MB)

Absztrakt (kivonat)

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the heartbeat of Ghana’s economy, employing the majority of the working population and driving both innovation and local development. Yet, despite their significant contributions, many of these businesses are under constant threatnot from market forces, but from something as basic and essential as electricity. This thesis takes a deep and honest look at how unreliable power supply is disrupting the everyday operations and long-term ambitions of SMEs across Ghana.The study explores the challenges these businesses face due to frequent power outageslocally known as "dumsor"and uncovers the cascading effects on productivity, revenue, planning, and customer satisfaction. Through a combination of surveys and interviews with business owners in key Ghanaian cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi, the research reveals just how deeply electricity challenges affect nearly every facet of SME life.A staggering majority of the businesses rely solely on the national grid, making them highly vulnerable when the lights go out. Many report experiencing outages multiple times a week, often lasting between one to three hours, though sometimes much longer. These disruptions halt production lines, slow customer service, damage sensitive equipment, and frustrate staff and clients alike. Over 90% of surveyed businesses admitted to suffering operational losses due to power issues, with nearly all of them incurring extra costs to manage the situationmostly through purchasing fuel for generators or investing in backup systems like solar panels.Yet, this isn’t just a tale of struggle. It’s also a story of resilience. Ghanaian SMEs have responded with creativity and gritadjusting their operating hours to match stable power periods, investing in renewable energy despite the costs, and finding ways to keep their customers informed and satisfied. Some offer discounts or compensations when service quality drops due to outages. Many also make tough financial decisionscutting back on growth plans, delaying investments, or shifting resources to manage daily energy uncertainty.The thesis also highlights that unreliable electricity is not just an operational inconvenienceit affects strategic decisions too. Businesses hesitate to expand, invest in new technologies, or hire more staff because they can't count on stable energy. Over 90% of respondents said that power outages have forced changes in how they plan, budget, and envision their future.Interviews conducted with SME owners bring these numbers to life. One business owner, for example, described how frequent blackouts led to damaged equipment and lost clients. Despite investing in solar power, he admitted that the cost of keeping operations afloat continues to grow. Others shared how energy issues have become a major barrier to scaling their businesseseven when demand is strong.At the policy level, the study points to a clear need for structural reforms and targeted support. Business owners overwhelmingly called for government subsidies for alternative energy, reduced electricity tariffs, and better infrastructure. They also emphasized the need for transparencyparticularly when it comes to load-shedding schedulesso they can plan more effectively.In conclusion, the thesis makes one thing abundantly clear: Ghana’s SMEs are doing their best to thrive, but without reliable electricity, they’re fighting an uphill battle. The resilience of these entrepreneurs is commendable, but systemic changes are essential if the full potential of this vital sector is to be realized. With strategic investments in energy infrastructure and meaningful support for alternative energy, Ghana’s SMEs can move from survival mode to sustainable growthcontributing even more powerfully to the nation’s development.

Intézmény

Budapesti Gazdasági Egyetem

Kar

Pénzügyi és Számviteli Kar

Tanszék

Pénzügy Tanszék

Tudományterület/tudományág

NEM RÉSZLETEZETT

Szak

Pénzügy és Számvitel

Mű típusa:	diplomadolgozat (NEM RÉSZLETEZETT)
Kulcsszavak:	accounting, Afrika, business enterprises, medium-sized businesses, workflow
SWORD Depositor:	User Archive
Felhasználói azonosító szám (ID):	User Archive
Rekord készítés dátuma:	2025. Szep. 23. 13:07
Utolsó módosítás:	2025. Szep. 23. 13:07

Actions (login required)

Tétel nézet