Ashaiman tower repairs: GRIDCo announces power outages in parts of Greater Accra today 

Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has announced power interruptions in parts of the Greater Accra Region on Sunday, August 16.

According to GRIDCo, the move is to facilitate emergency repairs on a damaged transmission tower at Ashaiman.

The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) says the interruption will take place from 3:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to enable its engineers and technical teams to safely replace the damaged tower on the Tema-Achimota 161kV transmission line.

In a statement issued on August 15, the company said the emergency restoration works are necessary “to restore the integrity of the transmission line and ensure the safety of both personnel and the public.”

According to GRIDCo, the tower was damaged after a fuel tanker exploded while welding work was being carried out on its tank within the transmission line’s Right-of-Way (RoW).

GRIDCo explained that the planned interruption is required to create a safe working environment for the technical teams as they undertake the replacement of the damaged structure.

The company apologised to customers who will be affected by the exercise, saying, “GRIDCo sincerely apologises to our valued customers for the inconvenience and appeals for their patience and cooperation during this exercise.”

The company also used the development to renew its warning against encroachment on transmission line Rights-of-Way, stressing that such activities are prohibited by law.

It cited the Transmission Line Protection Regulations, 1967 (L.I. 542), as amended by L.I. 1737 of 2004, which prohibit unauthorised construction, excavation, drilling, commercial operations, lorry parks, shops, garages and other activities that interfere with the safe operation and maintenance of transmission facilities.

GRIDCo said persons, businesses and other entities currently encroaching on transmission line corridors have been directed to cease their unauthorised activities and vacate the affected areas within one month.

The directive follows an earlier inspection by the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, who called for the removal of encroachments along transmission line Rights-of-Way across the country.

GRIDCo further warned that after one month, it will work with the relevant Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, statutory institutions and security agencies to enforce the law and remove unauthorised structures and activities from the corridors.

The company said, “The safety and integrity of our transmission infrastructure remain a shared responsibility,” and urged all stakeholders to support efforts to protect the facilities.

They have therefore appealed to the public, traditional authorities, landowners, businesses, local authorities and individuals to cooperate in keeping transmission line corridors clear.