President John Dramani Mahama has announced the procurement and distribution of 2,500 transformers nationwide as part of efforts to address persistent power outages and improve electricity stability.
The President made this known during a tour and inspection of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) headquarters in Tamale.
He explained that Ghana’s electricity infrastructure has not kept pace with rapid population growth and expanding communities.
According to him, when the National Electrification Programme began in the 1980s, Ghana’s population stood at about 18 to 19 million. Today, the population has grown to approximately 33 million, placing significant pressure on existing power systems.
“The community has expanded beyond the capacity of the transformer, which is why power supply has been unstable,” he stated.
He noted that for many years, institutions such as the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and NEDCo have not undertaken large-scale replacement of transformers to match growing demand.
However, following a request by the Energy Ministry and subsequent Cabinet approval, government has secured funding supported by the Finance Ministry-to procure new transformers for nationwide installation. President Mahama assured that the first phase of the intervention will significantly improve power stability, with continuous replacement of old transformers planned.
He appealed to Ghanaians to remain patient, explaining that temporary outages during installation are necessary for long-term improvements.
“The outages you are experiencing are to enable us deliver better quality and stable power,” he said.
The President also emphasized the need for better communication, urging power distribution agencies to inform communities ahead of planned outages.
He further commended the local production of transformers, describing it as a positive step toward boosting local industry and maximizing economic benefits.
In addition, he called for improved customer service within the power sector, including the establishment of efficient call centres and faster response teams to address faults promptly.
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