Parts of the Greater Accra Region experienced a prolonged power outage on Sunday, August 16, as the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) carried out emergency repairs on a damaged transmission tower at Ashaiman.
GRIDCo said the outage, scheduled from 3:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., was necessary to allow engineers and technical teams to safely replace the damaged tower and restore the integrity of the 161kV Tema-Achimota transmission line.
The transmission tower was damaged after a fuel tanker exploded while welding work was reportedly being carried out on its tank within the transmission line’s Right-of-Way (ROW).
GRIDCo apologised to affected customers and appealed for their patience and cooperation while the emergency works were underway.
The incident has also renewed concerns over the growing encroachment on transmission line corridors, which GRIDCo says poses significant risks to Ghana’s electricity infrastructure and public safety.
The company warned that activities within legally protected transmission line Rights-of-Way are prohibited under the Transmission Line Protection Regulations, 1967 (L.I. 542), as amended by L.I. 1737 of 2004.
Prohibited activities include unauthorised construction, excavation, drilling, commercial operations, lorry parks, shops, garages, welding and other activities that could obstruct the safe operation and maintenance of transmission infrastructure.
GRIDCo said the warning is particularly important following a directive from the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, during an inspection of ongoing works.
The directive requires individuals and businesses occupying transmission line corridors without authorisation to stop their activities and vacate the affected areas within one month.
GRIDCo said the directive applies to people who have erected structures, established businesses, parked heavy vehicles, undertaken welding or excavation, or engaged in other industrial activities within protected transmission corridors.
After the one-month deadline, the company said it will collaborate with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, relevant statutory institutions and security agencies to enforce the law and remove unauthorised structures and activities from the affected areas.
The company has therefore urged traditional authorities, landowners, businesses, local authorities and the public to cooperate in keeping transmission line corridors clear.
GRIDCo stressed that protecting the corridors is essential to preventing further damage to critical electricity infrastructure, avoiding prolonged outages and safeguarding lives and property.
