Key Takeaways
- Transmission tower on the Ashaiman stretch of the 161kV Tema‑Achimota line was replaced.
- Electricity supply to all affected sites in Greater Accra was fully restored.
- GRIDCo issued a deadline of 12 September 2026 for clearing encroachments along the line’s Right‑of‑Way.
- Post‑deadline enforcement will involve statutory agencies to remove unauthorized structures.
On 23 August 2026 the Ghana Grid Company Limited announced the successful completion of a critical maintenance operation on the 161 kV transmission corridor linking Tema and Achimota. Engineers dismantled a damaged tower in the Ashaiman area and installed a new structure, a step deemed essential for the stability of the national grid.
The outage, which temporarily disconnected customers across the Greater Accra Region, was resolved within a tight window, allowing the utility to restore power to every location that had been taken off‑line. GRIDCo thanked the public for cooperation during the work, emphasizing the importance of uninterrupted electricity for the capital’s economic activity.
Background & Context
The Tema‑Achimota line is a backbone of Ghana’s high‑voltage transmission network, channeling power from coastal generation sites to the densely populated capital. Over time, vegetation growth, illegal settlements and infrastructure wear can compromise tower integrity, prompting preventive replacements to avoid cascading failures.
Previous incidents on similar corridors have highlighted the vulnerability of the grid to encroachment. The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has therefore prioritized clearing Right‑of‑Way zones, a policy reinforced by recent legislative amendments aimed at safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Technical Execution
GRIDCo’s technical team deployed a coordinated crew of lineworkers, civil engineers and safety officers. The operation adhered to international best practices for high‑voltage work, including live‑line de‑energization protocols and real‑time monitoring of load balancing across adjacent circuits.
Installation of the replacement tower involved pre‑fabricated steel sections, bolted together on‑site to minimize downtime. The new structure incorporates reinforced foundations and upgraded grounding systems designed to withstand extreme weather events, a growing concern for West African power networks.
Regulatory & Community Implications
In conjunction with the repair, GRIDCo reiterated a government directive requiring all occupants of the transmission line’s Right‑of‑Way to vacate by 12 September 2026. The deadline follows a directive from Energy Minister Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, who warned that non‑compliance will trigger legal action and physical removal of structures.
The enforcement strategy will involve collaboration with the Lands Commission, the Police Service and local district assemblies. By aligning technical maintenance with regulatory enforcement, the utility aims to reduce future disruptions and protect investment in the grid.
Looking Ahead
The successful tower replacement demonstrates GRIDCo’s capacity to execute rapid, high‑impact interventions while maintaining service continuity. Ongoing monitoring will assess the performance of the new tower and inform a broader program of corridor rehabilitation across the country.
Long‑term, the incident underscores the necessity of proactive Right‑of‑Way management. Consistent enforcement and community outreach are expected to diminish illegal encroachments, thereby enhancing grid resilience and supporting Ghana’s energy transition goals.
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