Omanghana
During the Government Accountability Series held on April 27, 2026, John Abdulai Jinapor, Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, praised engineers and technical teams for their rapid response in restoring electricity after a major fire at the Ghana Grid Company Akosombo Substation.
The incident, which occurred on April 23, involved an explosion and fire that destroyed the substation’s control room and triggered widespread power outages across Ghana. The disruption affected homes, businesses, and critical services, highlighting the vulnerability of key national infrastructure.
By April 27, emergency repair efforts had already yielded results. Technical teams were able to restore two generating units, bringing approximately 280 megawatts of power back into the national grid. Engineers have since been working around the clock to bring additional units online and stabilize electricity supply.
To determine the cause of the incident, authorities have set up a seven-member investigative committee. The team is expected to present its findings by mid-May 2026, with recommendations aimed at preventing similar occurrences in the future.
Beyond the immediate crisis, the minister also addressed broader challenges within the energy sector, particularly the impact of aging infrastructure and outdated equipment. He noted that recurring outages are often linked to overloaded systems and components that require urgent replacement.
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the grid, the government installed about 200 transformers nationwide in April 2026, with an additional 140 units scheduled for deployment before the end of the month. The initiative is part of a larger plan to install up to 2,500 transformers across the country within the year.
Officials say these upgrades, along with scheduled maintenance on key power plants in May and June, are expected to significantly improve stability in the energy sector. The government remains optimistic that continued investment and technical interventions will reduce outages and ensure a more reliable electricity supply for the country.
Source: Omanghana
