The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has warned that illegal structures and human activities along its high‑voltage transmission lines pose serious risks to lives and could disrupt electricity supply. GRIDCo’s Director of Corporate Strategy, Samuel Kow Acquah, said the increasing encroachment on its transmission right‑of‑way is creating dangerous conditions that could affect the stability of the national power transmission network.
Acquah cited a recent incident in Ashaiman where a tanker being welded came into contact with a transmission tower, shattering part of the structure and forcing a prolonged power outage. “About two weeks ago, we had a similar incident in Ashaiman where a tanker that was being welded shattered and damaged portions of the transmission tower, and we had to take power out for a number of hours,” he explained.
To counter the threat, GRIDCo is intensifying its education campaign to warn squatters, encroachers and others who have occupied areas within its right‑of‑way about the dangers their activities pose to human life and electricity supply. “We are using this opportunity to educate all encroachers, squatters and people who have illegally occupied our right‑of‑way about the dangers of doing this—one, to human life, and also the potential destruction to power supply,” Acquah said.
GRIDCo is also taking technical measures to address bottlenecks within the transmission network and does not want human activities to undermine those efforts. “We are doing everything technically possible to make sure that the bottlenecks within the transmission network are eliminated. The least we want to have is to have human activities such as these disrupt power supply,” he said.
The awareness campaign will run throughout the month across regions with high levels of encroachment and illegal mining activities, including Ashanti, Eastern, Bono, Western and Western North. GRIDCo will validate residents’ claims before taking further action, and those who voluntarily vacate the right‑of‑way will be encouraged to do so. Those who remain after the notice period could face lawful enforcement action.
GRIDCo noted that the two‑week moratorium announced by the Minister for Energy Dr John Abdulai Jinapor will expire on September 4, but residents will still be given reasonable notice to vacate the transmission right‑of‑way before enforcement begins. The company warned that the high voltage carried by the transmission lines makes living or conducting activities within the right‑of‑way extremely dangerous, citing lines that carry 161,000 volts and, in some instances, 313,000 volts.
Some residents affected by the exercise have expressed concerns about the history of the transmission infrastructure in their communities and possible demolition of their properties and businesses. One resident said the transmission poles had previously been located further away but were later moved closer to the community. He added that he would comply if the reasons for the exercise were properly explained. Another resident called for clarity on compensation, worried about the potential demolition of homes and businesses.
GRIDCo’s campaign is being conducted in collaboration with the Information Services Department and the media to ensure the public is fully informed about the risks of encroachment on its high‑voltage lines.
