Omanghana
The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, has given individuals and businesses operating within electricity transmission rights-of-way one month to leave or face forcible removal.
Dr Jinapor issued the directive on Thursday, August 13, 2026, while inspecting a damaged Ghana Grid Company Limited transmission tower at Ashaiman Middle East.
He said the order applies nationwide and covers people operating under transmission pylons, around transformers and near other critical energy installations.
The directive follows an explosion at Ashaiman Middle East on July 10, 2026, which reportedly occurred while artisans were welding a tanker within the electricity transmission corridor.
According to GRIDCo, the incident happened at about 3 p.m. Part of the tanker was propelled more than 300 metres by the explosion and struck a nearby transmission tower.
The impact compromised the structural integrity of the double-circuit tower, creating the risk of a collapse that could have affected neighbouring pylons and caused extensive damage to the national transmission network.
The tower carries two critical lines connecting GRIDCo’s Volta Substation in Tema to the Achimota Substation in Accra. Those lines supply a significant proportion of the capital’s electricity.
Dr Jinapor warned that electricity transmission corridors are legally designated safety zones and must not be treated as vacant land for commercial or residential activities.
He expressed concern that some of the spaces had been converted into welding sites, car parks and other commercial centres, despite the danger posed by high-voltage infrastructure.
Occupants have been given a one-month grace period to remove their structures, equipment and other belongings voluntarily.
After the deadline, the Ministry will work with the police, military, National Security and metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to clear the affected areas.
Dr Jinapor warned that structures and items left within the corridors could be confiscated and auctioned in accordance with the law.
He said the enforcement exercise was necessary to protect lives, property and Ghana’s electricity supply from avoidable accidents.
GRIDCo Chief Executive Frank Otchere also appealed to the public to respect transmission-line rights-of-way, stressing that high-voltage installations pose serious dangers even when no visible fault is present.
He said the Ashaiman incident had been reported to the police and was being handled by the Middle East Police.
GRIDCo has retrieved an identical spare tower and begun assembling it to replace the damaged structure.
The company initially estimated that the replacement would require about two days. However, the prefabrication of components, deployment of additional workers and extension of working hours are expected to shorten the installation period significantly.
GRIDCo is also conducting simulations to minimise the effect of the exercise on electricity supply. Officials cautioned that some communities could temporarily lose power while loads are reduced to prevent the remaining transmission lines from becoming overloaded.
Affected communities are expected to be notified before the emergency replacement begins.
Source: Omanghana
