ECG announces emergency power outage in parts of Accra for GRIDCo tower replacement

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Accra West Region, has announced an emergency power outage scheduled for Sunday, August 23, 2026, to enable the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) to carry out urgent repair works on the Tema–Achimota 161kV transmission line at Ashaiman .

The outage, scheduled from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., is necessary for engineers to replace a damaged transmission tower. According to ECG, the tower was damaged when a fuel tanker exploded while welding work was being carried out on its tank within the transmission line’s Right-of-Way (RoW) .

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🗓️ Outage Details and Affected Areas

The emergency works are expected to affect households, businesses, markets and offices across a wide swathe of the capital. ECG has advised residents and businesses in the listed communities to take note of the scheduled interruption and make the necessary arrangements ahead of the exercise .

Affected Communities
James Town, Mamprobi
Chorkor, Sempe
Parts of Kaneshie
North Industrial Area
Okaishie, Agbogbloshie
Kantamanto, Adabraka
Ridge, Tesano
Santana Market
Parts of Alajo
Malam Atta Market
Asylum Down and surrounding areas

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🔧 Background: Cause of the Damage and Regulatory Response

The incident that necessitated these repairs occurred when a fuel tanker undergoing welding works beneath the transmission line exploded, sending part of the tanker more than 300 metres into one of the transmission towers . The impact compromised the structural integrity of the tower, prompting urgent intervention .

This incident has renewed concerns about unauthorised activities within protected transmission corridors. The Energy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, who inspected the restoration works, has issued a firm directive requiring all persons, businesses and land users encroaching on GRIDCo’s Right-of-Way to vacate the affected areas within one month .

The regulations, outlined in the Transmission Line Protection Regulations, 1967 (L.I. 542), as amended by L.I. 1737, prohibit activities such as unauthorised construction, excavation, commercial operations, welding and heavy vehicle parking within protected corridors extending 15 metres on either side of 161kV lines and 20 metres for 330kV lines .

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📋 GRIDCo’s Warning and Enforcement

GRIDCo has stressed that the Right-of-Way is not an area available for unrestricted occupation or commercial use . The company has warned that after the one-month compliance period, it will work with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, other statutory institutions and security agencies to enforce the law and remove unauthorised structures and activities from the protected corridors .

The company has therefore appealed to traditional authorities, landowners, businesses and the general public to cooperate in keeping transmission line corridors clear to ensure the safe operation of the national transmission system .

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🙏 Apology and Appeal for Patience

ECG has apologised to customers in the affected areas for the inconvenience the planned outage may cause. The company has assured the public that the repair works are critical to restoring stability and reliability to the transmission network .

GRIDCo has also thanked the public for their patience and cooperation as these critical emergency works are undertaken, noting that the interruptions are necessary to facilitate the works safely .