Power crisis: Progress, accountability and the road ahead

There is no denying the fact that the recent power disruptions have unsettled homes and businesses across the country and have once again exposed the fragility of Ghana’s energy infrastructure.

While the fire incident at the Akosombo facility significantly worsened the situation, it did not create it.

For months, many parts of the country had been grappling with intermittent outages, with some communities hardly enjoying a consistent 24-hour supply of electricity.

The incident has therefore served to highlight, rather than cause, deeper structural challenges within the power sector.

Against this backdrop, the steps taken so far by the Ministry of Energy to stabilise the system and restore public confidence are noteworthy (see front page story).

The swift launch of investigations into the fire incident is particularly commendable.

The constitution of a seven-member technical committee, chaired by engineer William Amuna, to conduct an impartial and thorough probe within 14 days reflects a welcome sense of urgency.

The parallel criminal investigations by security agencies to determine any culpability further underscore the seriousness of the response.

Equally significant is the decision to ask the Chief Executive of GRIDCo to step aside pending the outcome of the investigations.

This action, though difficult, aligns with the principles of accountability and good governance.

The Daily Graphic commends the minister for his assurance of transparency throughout this process.

At a time when public confidence is being tested, openness and clear communication are indispensable.

Beyond the investigations, the announcement of a nationwide Transformer Upgrade and Replacement Programme offers cautious optimism.

The installation of about 200 transformers in April 2026, with an additional 140 expected within the week, alongside the deployment of high-capacity transformers at key Bulk Supply Points at Adentan, Lashibi and Teshie-Nungua, represents tangible progress.

Planned transmission reinforcement works in Kumasi, slated for June, further indicate a commitment to strengthening the system for the future.

However, while these interventions are encouraging, they must translate into real and measurable improvements in power supply across the country.

Understandably, consumers are watching developments with bated breath, expecting that the transformer upgrades will substantially ease the current challenges.

To meet these expectations, the Ministry of Energy and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) must deepen their engagement with the public.

It is important that citizens are clearly informed about where transformer replacements and upgrades are taking place.

Such transparency will help manage expectations and reduce uncertainty.

More importantly, authorities must be forthright about areas that cannot be addressed immediately.

Where delays are unavoidable, the reasons must be explained, and realistic timelines provided. Honest communication, even when the message is difficult, is far preferable to silence or ambiguity.

mid these technical interventions, the issue of financial sustainability within the power sector cannot be overlooked.

Transformer upgrades and infrastructure improvements require substantial capital outlay.

It is therefore imperative that consumers meet their obligation by paying their electricity bills promptly and consistently.

Yet, it is widely acknowledged that a culture of non-payment persists in some parts of the country.

Even more troubling is the perception that enforcement efforts by the ECG are uneven, often focusing on compliant consumers while failing to enforce payment in communities considered difficult to access.

This approach is neither equitable nor sustainable.

The Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Finance and the ECG must collaborate to implement effective mechanisms that ensure all consumers pay for the power they use.

It should never be acceptable that certain communities become “no-go areas” for revenue mobilisation.

The same determination with which the ECG pursues those engaged in illegal connections must be applied to addressing bill payment defaults across all communities.

We see the current crisis, though challenging, as an opportunity to confront long-standing inefficiencies within the power sector.

Progress has been made and must be sustained.

Beyond restoring supply, the focus must remain on building a resilient, transparent and financially viable power system that delivers reliable electricity to all Ghanaians.