The government has placed a ban on the import and sale of 19 electrical appliances and renewable energy items through the Energy Commission.

Groups of secondhand dealers that rely on the importation of goods into the nation for their livelihood have largely opposed the proposal.They also claim that the choice will have an effect on the livelihoods of around 20,000 persons involved in the value chain of used electrical appliances.

However, according to a statement from the Energy Commission, the prohibition is necessary to save Ghana from turning into a landfill for old and subpar equipment.

It further indicated that the ban aims to conserve high electricity demand which impacts additional power generation thereby impacting the economy.

“The ban is to protect the environment and safeguard the health of citizens from air pollution caused by increased power generation and to protect the consumer from purchasing unsuitable appliances and the payment of unnecessarily high electricity bills,” a statement issued by the Commission said.

Meanwhile, some of the products banned from importation and sale by the Energy Commission include Television sets, Rice cookers, and washing machines among others.

See the full list of items prohibited from importation and sale below: