The Africa Sustainable Energy Centre (ASEC) is calling on the government of Ghana to take urgent steps to strengthen the country’s power system and fix problems in its electricity procurement processes.
Their call comes after recent power cuts caused by severe storms and the alleged disappearance of over 1,300 containers belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) at the Tema Port.
In a release, ASEC warned that recent storms have exposed major weaknesses in Ghana’s electricity grid, with old transformers and poorly maintained power lines failing under pressure. “The recent blackouts, caused by intense storms, expose weaknesses in Ghana’s electricity grid, including aging transformers and poorly maintained power lines.
This left businesses, homes, and hospitals without power, highlighting the need for urgent infrastructure reinforcement to ensure resilience against extreme weather events,” the organisation stated. It stresses that without urgent upgrades, Ghana’s electricity supply will remain vulnerable to bad weather. It is urging the government to upgrade power lines by moving them underground where possible or using stronger wind-resistant poles.
“Where overhead power lines cannot be buried, we must strengthen overhead infrastructure with wind-resistant poles and cross arms,” ASEC added. It also calls for the modernisation of transformers to ensure they work properly during peak demand, the use of smart grid technology to detect faults in real time, and greater investment in renewable energy sources like solar and wind to reduce reliance on aging power plants.
At the same time, the loss of vital electrical equipment, including cables and other key components, could delay critical power projects and worsen the country’s energy problems. “The loss of ECG’s electrical equipment, including essential cables and components for critical power projects, threatens to delay vital upgrades and worsen Ghana’s already fragile energy supply,” ASEC warned.
To prevent future losses and ensure better management, ASEC is calling for an independent forensic audit to determine how the 1,300 containers went missing and to hold those responsible accountable. “Those responsible must be identified and held accountable,” it stressed. It also urges the government to implement better security and tracking measures, such as GPS tracking, tamper-proof seals, and digital inventory systems, to prevent theft and fraud.
It recommends stronger oversight through a task force involving the Ministry of Energy, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, ECG, and law enforcement to monitor the shipment of electrical equipment, as well as greater transparency in procurement through public disclosure of shipping details and independent audits.
“If these problems are not fixed quickly, Ghana’s energy crisis will get worse, hindering economic growth and disrupting daily life for millions,” ASEC warned. The group is urging the government to act fast, encourage private sector involvement, and allocate dedicated funding for energy infrastructure projects to secure a stable, sustainable power supply for Ghana’s future.
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