Bush Fire: A growing threat to electricity supply in the north

Bushfire has become a recurring menace in northern Ghana, wreaking havoc on electricity infrastructure.

Deliberate burning of bushes by hunters in search of bush meat has led to a surge in bushfires, which have destroyed countless electricity poles, disrupting power supply to rural communities. 

In most instances, electricity poles, often the target of these fires, are left completely or partially destroyed, leaving wires hanging precariously in the air. 

This does not only cause power outages but also poses a significant risk to public safety.

The frequent destruction of electricity poles has resulted in unplanned maintenance, which has become a significant challenge for electricity authorities. 

The rural areas of northern Ghana have particularly been hard, hit with many communities experiencing prolonged power outages.
Checks by the Daily Graphic showed that the situation is very prevalent in the Kpandai district and its environs, as bushfires destroyed electricity poles leaving residents in darkness for some days.

Implications 

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Public Relations Officer of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), Ibrahim Alaasan Abaaba, said the disruption to electricity supply caused by bushfire had far-reaching economic and social implications.

He explained that businesses are forced to shut down, causing financial losses to the company and the state at large.

"Communities are left without access to basic services like healthcare and education, cool stores operation, grinding mills operation, exacerbating existing social inequalities," he said.

He added that electricity distribution was a shared responsibility of every well-meaning Ghanaian, and should not be left in the hands of the government alone, saying that everybody has a role to play in protecting electricity infrastructure.

Appeal 

Mr Ibrahim indicated that downed and damaged power lines often pose risks to people and animals in the surrounding areas, which can result in death.

To address the situation, he appealed to the public, particularly hunters, to desist from burning the bushes indiscriminately to help protect the poles and other property.

For his part, the Public Relations Officer of the Northern Regional Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), ADO II Hudu Baba, said, "Bushfire is becoming a canker in our Ghanaian system and also posing a very big threat and challenge to the GNFS"

He, therefore, called for collective efforts and a change in behaviour to prevent and protect the environment and properties.