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🇬🇭 Ghana /Energy & Infrastructure

Accra Faces 15-Hour Power Outage Sunday for Transmission Tower Repair

From Daily Graphic · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Parts of Ghana's Greater Accra Region will face a 15-hour power outage on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
  • The outage is necessary for Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) to replace a damaged transmission tower.
  • GRIDCo warned against encroachment on transmission line corridors, citing a recent incident involving a fuel tanker explosion.

Residents in several areas of Ghana's Greater Accra Region are bracing for a significant power disruption on Sunday, August 16, 2026. The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has announced a planned 15-hour outage, scheduled to begin at 3:30 a.m. and conclude at 6:00 p.m.

The transmission tower at Ashaiman Middle East was damaged after a fuel tanker exploded while welding work was being undertaken on its tank within the Right-of-Way (RoW) of the transmission line.

— GRIDCo statementExplaining the cause of the damaged transmission tower that necessitates the power outage.

The extensive shutdown is required for GRIDCo engineers to undertake emergency repairs and replace a damaged transmission tower located in Ashaiman. The tower, part of the 161kV Tema–Achimota transmission line, was reportedly damaged after a fuel tanker exploded during welding work within the transmission line's Right-of-Way (RoW).

GRIDCo stated that the outage will allow for the safe replacement of the tower, aiming to restore the integrity and reliability of the power transmission system. The company has apologized for the inconvenience and requested the public's patience and cooperation during the restoration efforts.

GRIDCo said its engineers and technical teams would use the outage period to replace the damaged tower and restore the integrity and reliability of the transmission line.

— GRIDCo statementDetailing the purpose of the planned power outage.

In light of the incident, GRIDCo has reiterated its strong warning against any unauthorized activities within transmission line corridors. The company emphasized that such encroachments pose serious risks to public safety and the stability of the national power grid. Regulations prohibit construction, commercial operations, and other potentially interfering activities within these protected zones. GRIDCo plans to collaborate with local authorities and security agencies to enforce these regulations and remove any illegal structures or operations after a one-month grace period.

The incident has also prompted GRIDCo to renew its warning against encroachment on transmission line corridors, stressing that unauthorised activities within the RoW pose risks to public safety and the reliability of the national power transmission system.

— GRIDCo statementHighlighting the dangers of unauthorized activities near transmission lines following the tanker explosion.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Graphic in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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