Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, has announced that from end of March, planned power disruptions will occur to facilitate the installation of 1,500 new transformers across the country.
The initiative is aimed at reducing network overload and minimizing frequent outages.
The announcement was made during the launch of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG)’s five-year corporate strategic plan on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
Dr. Jinapor explained that Ghana’s power sector is at a critical juncture, with electricity demand rising alongside economic growth. Years of under-investment, he noted, have left many transformers obsolete and unable to withstand pressure, necessitating urgent procurement.
“Because of years of underinvestment, a lot of the transformers are obsolete, overloaded, and unable to withstand pressure. I lobbied the Minister of Finance, and he has agreed to support us in procuring 1,500 transformers,” he said.
The Minister cautioned the public to expect disruptions during the installation period but assured that notices would be issued in advance.
“From the end of March, you’re going to see a lot of transformer injections. That will cause some disruption, but we’ll announce it and pre-inform you. Bear with us, it’s for a good purpose.”
Dr. Jinapor also raised alarm over ECG’s revenue shortfalls, citing a gap of 500 to 600 million cedis. He directed ECG to disconnect government agencies that fail to pay their electricity bills.
“Government agencies must also do what the private sector is doing. They budget for cars, fuel, and telephone bills, electricity is not free,” he emphasized.
Acting Managing Director of ECG, Ing. Julius Kwame Kpekpena, outlined initiatives under the new 2025–2029 strategy, which focus on improving revenue mobilization, stabilizing operations, and enhancing customer experience.
“ECG continues to face significant financial and operational challenges, including inadequate revenue collection, high system losses, and increasing upstream costs. 2026 will be a year of consolidation, with a focus on driving sustainable growth,” he said.
Officials believe the plan provides a clear roadmap to strengthen Ghana’s energy sector and ensure reliable power supply for homes and businesses.
By Beatrice Sowah
