The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) is expected to roll out a major, government-backed intervention to resolve persistent low voltage and power outages in the Volta Region and parts of Oti.
At a high-level meeting held in Ho, the the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu hosted a joint delegation from ECG and GRIDCo, where the power agencies presented what officials describe as a long-term technical solution to the region’s electricity challenges—following months of demands by the Minister for decisive action.
The delegation, led by ECG’s Acting Managing Director, Ing. Kwame Kpekpena, and GRIDCo’s Acting Deputy Chief Executive, Ing. Frank A. Otchere, confirmed that government has released funding for the first phase of a major transmission upgrade project.
The project will upgrade the existing transmission line from Asiekpe to Ho from 69kV to 161kV, construct a new 45-kilometre transmission line, and establish a new Bulk Supply Point (BSP) in Ho. The upgrade will transition the region from its current low-capacity system to the more robust 161kV network, significantly improving voltage stability and reducing outages.
The announcement marks a turning point in a long-running power crisis that has affected households and businesses across the region.
Explaining the root of the problem, Ing. Kpekpena noted that the Volta Region’s electricity challenges stem from an aging transmission system installed in the 1980s, which has failed to keep pace with increasing demand. Unlike most parts of Ghana that operate on a 161kV system, the region still relies heavily on a 69kV network—resulting in persistent low voltage and frequent tripping, particularly during peak hours.
He acknowledged that while temporary measures had been introduced earlier this year to ease pressure on the grid, they were insufficient, making a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade unavoidable.
According to ECG, the first phase of the project is expected to be completed within one year after contract signing. In the interim, discussions are ongoing on deploying a temporary substation to provide quicker relief to affected communities.
However, Ing. Kpekpena cautioned that timely implementation would depend heavily on stakeholder cooperation, particularly in land acquisition, right-of-way access, compensation, and community engagement.
Reinforcing the commitment, GRIDCo’s Ing. Frank A. Otchere stated that the company had already begun technical groundwork, including route surveys between Asiekpe and Ho, with design works underway and active backing from the Ministry of Energy.
He noted that although projects of this scale typically take over two years, the agencies have compressed timelines to deliver within one year—reflecting the urgency created by the region’s worsening power situation.
Responding to the briefing, James Gunu welcomed the intervention but stressed that reliable electricity is not optional for the region’s future.
He underscored the Volta Region’s growing appeal to investors, particularly in agro-processing, and pointed to flagship initiatives such as the Volta Economic Corridor and a planned industrial park—both of which hinge on stable power supply.
The Minister pledged full support from the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, local assemblies, and traditional authorities to fast-track the project, including facilitating land access and community cooperation.
The latest development is widely seen as a direct outcome of Hon. Gunu’s sustained push to resolve the crisis. In April 2025, he publicly demanded urgent action from ECG and GRIDCo over prolonged outages, and subsequently engaged both institutions through follow-up visits in Ho and Akosombo.
The meeting in Ho now signals a decisive shift—from prolonged complaints to a funded, clearly defined roadmap toward a lasting solution to the region’s power challenges.
