Ashaiman, parts of Accra to face 15-hour power outage Sunday

On Sunday, August 16, 2026, a significant portion of Greater Accra will be plunged into darkness for an extended 15-hour period. The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) is responsible for this planned power outage, as they undertake emergency repairs on a damaged transmission tower in Ashaiman. This outage is scheduled to occur between 3:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., during which engineers will replace the damaged tower on the 161kV Tema–Achimota transmission line.

GRIDCo revealed that the tower, situated at Ashaiman Middle East, was struck when a fuel tanker exploded while workers were welding its tank within the transmission line's Right-of-Way (RoW). The company emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that repairing the structure was necessary to maintain the transmission line's reliability. As part of their response, GRIDCo extended apologies to affected customers and urged them to exercise patience and cooperation throughout the restoration process.

The incident has reignited GRIDCo's concerns about unauthorized activities within transmission line corridors. Such actions, they warned, can endanger lives, damage crucial infrastructure, and compromise the country's power transmission network. In line with the Transmission Line Protection Regulations, 1967 (L.I. 542), amended by L.I.

1737 of 2004, GRIDCo has restricted unauthorised construction, excavation, drilling, and commercial activities like shops, garages, lorry parks, and heavy vehicle parking within these protected corridors.

Furthermore, GRIDCo cited a directive from the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, which mandates the cessation of unlawful activities within the RoW and their removal within a one-month period. Failure to comply may result in enforcement action under the law. GRIDCo appealed to traditional authorities, landowners, businesses, local authorities, and the public to assist in keeping transmission corridors clear of encroachments.

They stressed that these zones are intended for protected infrastructure and should not be used for unrestricted occupancy or commercial activities.