GRIDCo Completes Reconstruction of Damaged Akwatia–New Obuasi Transmission Tower, Full Restoration Expected by April 20
The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has successfully completed the reconstruction of a collapsed transmission tower on its 161kV Akwatia–New Obuasi line, following damage caused by illegal chainsaw operations.
However, final conductor stringing works are still underway and expected to be completed by Sunday, April 20, 2025, to allow for the full restoration of power supply to affected areas.
The incident, which occurred on March 17, 2025, significantly disrupted power delivery to Kumasi and parts of the middle belt, resulting in a decline in electricity quality and reliability in the region.
A statement from GRIDCo noted that a felled tree had struck a vital component of the transmission tower, triggering a major outage.
“Maintenance engineers were immediately deployed to assess the damage, and it was determined that a complete dismantling and replacement of the tower was required,” the company disclosed.
The reconstruction process, GRIDCo explained, necessitated the deployment of heavy-duty equipment and the expansion of access to the affected site to facilitate works.
The transmission company used the opportunity to condemn ongoing illegal chainsaw and galamsey activities, which it said pose a significant threat to critical national infrastructure.
“These illegal operations continue to endanger the integrity of the national grid,” the statement read, as the company called on the public to support efforts aimed at curbing such practices.
GRIDCo also apologised to residents of Kumasi and surrounding communities for the inconvenience caused, while assuring stakeholders of its continuous commitment to delivering a stable and resilient transmission network across Ghana and the West African sub-region.
