Gov’t to Enhance Security at Key Power Installations – Deputy Minister
The Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. Richard Gyan Mensah, has announced that the government will be enhancing security at critical power installations across the country to prevent future disruptions to electricity supply.
This follows a working visit he undertook on Saturday, June 28, 2025, to the GRIDCo and ECG substations in Obuasi, which were severely damaged by a fire outbreak on May 21, 2025. The incident resulted in widespread power outages affecting Obuasi, New Edubiase, and surrounding communities in the Ashanti Region.
The Deputy Minister was accompanied by key stakeholders including the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Dr. Frank Amoakohene, Hon. Kweku Kwarteng, MP for Obuasi West, and the Municipal Chief Executives for Obuasi Municipal and Obuasi East, Hon. Faustilove Appiah Kanin and Hon. Kofi Adzowu, respectively.
During the visit, engineers from GRIDCo and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) provided a briefing on the extent of the damage. The fire destroyed vital infrastructure such as transformers, underground cables, and the control room, leaving thousands without electricity for days. Emergency teams have since been deployed and are working around the clock to restore power.
The Deputy Minister assured the public that temporary power supply will be fully restored by Thursday, July 3, 2025, while work is ongoing to permanently resolve the technical challenges caused by the fire.
“Government is not only committed to restoring power but also to ensuring such incidents do not reoccur,” Hon. Gyan Mensah stated. “We will be enhancing security protocols, surveillance systems, and emergency response mechanisms at all key power infrastructure sites across the country.”
He also expressed gratitude to the affected residents for their patience and cooperation during the crisis, adding that their resilience has been commendable.
The announcement comes amid growing public concern about the vulnerability of national infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector, to fire and other emergencies. With power playing a central role in Ghana’s socio-economic development, government officials say these enhancements are timely and necessary.
Stakeholders at the site also pledged their full support to the Ministry’s efforts, highlighting the need for a coordinated and well-resourced approach to power infrastructure management and protection.
