The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, has directed individuals and institutions encroaching on the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) Right of Way to vacate the protected areas or face enforcement action.
The directive follows an inspection of emergency restoration works on the damaged Tema–Achimota 161kV transmission line near Ashaiman Middle East.
The transmission line was damaged after a fuel tanker undergoing welding works beneath the power line exploded, sending a section of the tanker more than 300 metres into a transmission tower and compromising its structural integrity.
Dr Jinapor said the incident highlighted the dangers posed by unauthorised activities and encroachment around high-voltage transmission infrastructure.
“I have called on all persons and institutions encroaching on GRIDCo’s Right of Way to move out immediately,” he said in a Facebook post.
He warned that persons and institutions that fail to comply with the directive would face enforcement action in accordance with the law.
“Those who fail to comply will face enforcement action in accordance with the law, in collaboration with the security services and relevant authorities,” he added.
The Minister cited L.I. 542, as amended by L.I. 1737, which prohibits activities within protected corridors extending 15 metres on either side of 161kV transmission lines and 20 metres for 330kV lines.
He cautioned the public against carrying out activities, including welding and other potentially hazardous operations, underneath electricity pylons.
According to him, strict adherence to the regulations is necessary to prevent loss of life, protect property and safeguard the reliability of Ghana’s electricity supply.
Meanwhile, Dr Jinapor disclosed that planned maintenance works would be undertaken on the damaged transmission line during the coming weekend as part of efforts to facilitate its restoration.
He said the maintenance exercise would take a few hours and would require temporary interruptions in power supply in some parts of the Greater Accra Region.
The Minister appealed to residents who may be affected by the planned outages to bear with the authorities, explaining that the interruptions were necessary to enable the restoration works to be carried out safely.
“These interruptions will be necessary to facilitate the works and ensure the safety and reliability of the transmission system,” he said.
Dr Jinapor reiterated the need for the public to respect protected transmission corridors and avoid activities that could endanger lives or damage critical electricity infrastructure.
“We must protect these critical transmission corridors to safeguard lives, property and the reliability of Ghana’s power supply,” he added.
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