The on-going energy crisis has not only affected economic activities and social life but adversely impacted religious organizations due to low turnout.
While some major churches within the Tamale Metropolis have overcome the challenge by resorting to the use of stand-by generators, the smaller ones have no option than to use candles and rechargeable lamps during night services.
The development has also resulted in low attendance by members as Christians are preparing to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Some of the leaders of the churches, who pleaded anonymity, attributed the energy crisis to the erratic rainfall pattern and the over dependence on dams.
Others attributed the unfortunate situation to the ineptitude and inefficiency on the part of past administrations leading to what they described as an energy disaster, which has put the jobs of many people on line.
Others stressed the need to conserve electricity in the country.
Pastor Jonathan Amo of the Glory Church decried the load shedding exercise, which he said had affected the finances of the church.
Business operators say they can longer store perishable items like iced fish. Owners of cold stores in particular in the metropolis expressed worry over huge losses they incurred since the commencement of the exercise.
According to the owners, they have been forced to reduce the intake of their supply and resorted to the use of stand-by generators which has affected their profit margins.
Akua Mansah, a cold store manager, blamed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government for failing to increase the generation capacity. She appealed to the government to speed up the installation of other plants to augment the current shortfall.
Meanwhile, government and the managers of electricity continue give conflicting dates as to when the load-shedding exercise will end in the wake of constructive criticisms by the opposition.
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