The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has acknowledged ongoing intermittent power outages and low voltage in some communities, even as it maintains that electricity supply across much of the country remains relatively stable.
Speaking on JoyNews AM Show on April 22, the General Manager for External Communications at ECG, Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, said the company is fully aware of the disruptions affecting households and businesses.
“While power supply across most parts of the country has remained relatively stable, we are fully aware that some communities continue to experience intermittent outages and low voltage. We do recognise the inconvenience and disruption,” he stated.
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His remarks follow rising public concern over persistent outages in parts of Accra and the Ashanti Region, where residents have reported frequent power interruptions in recent weeks.
Dr Ayiku attributed the situation to a mix of ongoing system upgrades and longstanding structural challenges within ECG’s operations. He explained that the company has begun a phased infrastructure overhaul aimed at improving reliability, supported by recent approvals from the Ministry of Energy Ghana.
According to him, ECG is replacing ageing infrastructure, including transformers and substations that have struggled to keep pace with increasing electricity demand.
He disclosed that upgrade works at the Maijaw and Lashibi power stations have already been completed ahead of schedule, with the next phase set to commence in the Teshie-Nungua area on April 28.
“These are some of the measures being implemented to address these challenges,” he said, adding that ECG plans to replace more than 2,500 transformers across its operational zones.
Dr Ayiku further identified overloaded distribution infrastructure—such as transformers, cables, and substations—as a primary driver of outages and low voltage experienced by customers. He noted that the challenges stem from a combination of structural, operational, and financial pressures facing the utility.
The current disruptions have also been linked to broader grid modernisation efforts by ECG and the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), where installation of new equipment often requires planned shutdowns to ensure safety.
In addition, technical issues—including damaged underground cables and intermittent gas supply constraints from the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant—have contributed to supply inconsistencies.
While authorities insist the situation does not signal a return to Ghana’s past power crisis, commonly known as “dumsor,” the frequency of outages continues to raise concern among consumers and businesses.
ECG, however, maintains that the ongoing upgrades will deliver improved power stability in the long term, even as short-term disruptions persist in affected areas.
