The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has clarified that recent intermittent power interruptions in Kumasi are not a return to dumsor, but part of ongoing system upgrades aimed at strengthening electricity delivery in the Ashanti Region.
Recent outages have raised public concern, with some questioning whether the situation reflects a nationwide power shortage. However, ECG maintains that the issue is not one of insufficient generation, but rather the need to reinforce infrastructure to meet rising demand.
“Ghana has over 5,000 megawatts of installed power and nearly 4,800 megawatts available—so the issue is not power shortage, but how to deliver that power reliably to growing cities like Kumasi,” said Collins Manu, Communications Officer at ECG Ashanti Region.
Kumasi’s rapid expansion in residential, commercial, and industrial activity has significantly increased electricity demand, placing pressure on existing infrastructure originally designed for lower load levels.
In response, ECG is undertaking targeted system upgrades across the metropolis. These include strengthening sub-transmission lines, upgrading transformers, improving real-time fault detection, and advancing plans to expand bulk supply capacity within the region.
“These are not load-shedding cuts. They are proactive interventions to reinforce the network,” Mr. Manu explained. “As we work, customers may experience short, localized outages. That’s the process of building a system that can handle today’s demand and tomorrow’s growth.”
The company observed that, as with all major infrastructure upgrades, temporary service interruptions may occur during operational transitions. These are typically brief and localized, reflecting controlled efforts to strengthen the network rather than a nationwide supply deficit.
The company further indicated that this position aligns with recent national-level clarification that the outages being experienced are not dumsor, but necessary interventions to ensure a more stable and reliable power supply.
“Importantly, the absence of a load-shedding timetable remains a key indicator that Ghana is not currently experiencing dumsor conditions. Instead, the ongoing developments represent a structured effort to modernize and expand the electricity distribution network,” he said.
ECG reaffirmed its commitment to delivering reliable power and building a resilient system capable of supporting Kumasi’s continued growth and long-term energy needs.
By Benjamin Aidoo
