In Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region, peak electricity demand has surged from 420 megawatts to about 640 megawatts within two years, highlighting the rapid growth of power consumption in the region.
According to the Public Relations Officer for the Electricity Company of Ghana in the Ashanti Region, Benjamin Obeng Antwi, the sharp rise in electricity demand reflects the rapid expansion of Kumasi and surrounding communities.
Speaking in an interview on the Orange Sunrise, Mr. Obeng Antwi further explained that most power lines in Ghana, including those in the Ashanti Region, are overhead lines, which are more exposed to environmental conditions.
According to him, when the wind blows strongly, tree branches or leaves can swing into the overhead lines, causing the network’s protection systems to automatically shut down the power supply.
He explained that when the wind moves the branches away again, power may return briefly, which sometimes leads to the on-and-off power supply residents experience during storms.
Lightning and safety concerns
Mr. Obeng Antwi also noted that lightning and thunder during storms create additional risks for the power network. He said lightning can release high electrical currents, which may interact with power flowing through the system.
Because of this, engineers sometimes wait for the rain and lightning to subside before restoring power to avoid dangerous voltage interactions. Another factor that affects supply during bad weather is road accidents involving power infrastructure.
Mr. Obeng Antwi noted that poor visibility during rainfall can cause drivers to crash into power poles or transformers, resulting in intermittent power outages in some areas.
“Operation Keep the Lights On”
Referring to earlier efforts introduced by former Energy Minister Matthew Opoku Prempeh, when authorities promoted a policy to keep the power supply stable during storms, Mr. Obeng Antwi confirmed that the ECG launched an initiative called “Operation Keep the Lights On.”
He said the program focused on clearing vegetation around electricity lines and strengthening weak components within the network.
However, he noted that some individuals resisted the cutting of trees along power corridors, especially where residents considered the trees family property or traditional assets.
He said ECG continues to work on maintenance and upgrades to ensure the network can support the rising Ashanti Region peak electricity demand while maintaining a stable power supply.
