Kumasi will face three months of scheduled power outages, known locally as ‘dumsor’, starting Monday, July 20. The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) are undertaking crucial upgrade work. This project targets the Kumasi-Anwomaso transmission line.
This essential upgrade aims to significantly boost the transmission line’s capacity from 364 megawatts to 1,000 megawatts. This expansion will effectively triple the electricity supply to Kumasi, Ghana’s second-largest city. Energy Minister Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor emphasized the upgrade is vital to meet Kumasi’s increasing electricity demand. It will prevent potential failures in the power network.
This initiative fits into Ghana’s broader economic narrative of infrastructure development. The country addresses long-standing power challenges to support industrial growth and urban expansion. Reliable power is a cornerstone for economic stability and attracts investment. Past 'dumsor' periods have severely impacted businesses and daily life, highlighting the urgency of such upgrades. The government aims to prevent a recurrence of widespread power crises seen in previous years.
Energy Minister Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor stated the existing transmission line has operated for over 30 years. He noted it can no longer adequately serve the rising residential and industrial demands. New power generation facilities now supply Kumasi, increasing the need for robust transmission infrastructure. Jinapor mentioned that delaying the project was no longer an option. He shared with journalists, “If we don’t do this improvement, we could collapse the entire grid.”
During the three-month construction period, specific communities will experience scheduled daytime outages. Electricity is expected to be restored in the evenings. Authorities pledged to provide prior notification to affected areas before any power interruptions. This upgrade is crucial for preventing future widespread disruptions and ensuring energy security for one of Ghana's most economically vital regions. It will also impact local businesses and households. They will need to adjust to the temporary power cuts. Ultimately, a successful upgrade should foster greater economic activity in the Ashanti Region.
The project initially planned for six months. However, the timeline has been reduced to three months. This acceleration is due to the deployment of additional work crews and multiple shifts. Contractor China Water Engineering has sent several teams to the site. Out of the 60 transmission towers required, 56 are already complete. GRIDCo is also taking advantage of this period to upgrade transformers at the Ahodwo substation. This substation supplies electricity to Kumasi’s central business district. Frank Otchere, GRIDCo Chief Executive, confirmed the need to upgrade transformer capacity. This ensures the expanded transmission line operates efficiently after the upgrade.