Residents of Funkor, a coastal community in the Ahanta West Municipality in the Western Region, say the rainy season has become a time of fear and uncertainty as decades-old electricity poles collapse during storms, turning live wires into deadly traps.
Each heavy downpour leaves everyone in the town on edge, with strong winds frequently toppling the rotting wooden poles that support the area’s power lines.
In some instances, the falling wires have sparked fires or fallen dangerously close to homes and businesses. So far, two residents have reportedly lost their lives in incidents linked to fallen power lines, while others have narrowly escaped electrocution.
Beyond the immediate danger to lives, the collapsing infrastructure is also crippling businesses, prolonged power outages sometimes lasting for days have forced traders to discard spoiled perishable goods, further deepening their economic woes.
“We lose money every time the light goes off,” said Charlotte Nsobiaba, a trader. “Fridges don’t work. Everything gets spoiled. I had to throw away most of my foodstuff because it had gone bad. We’ve reported this for years, but nothing has been done. It feels like no one cares about us.”
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in Ahanta West has acknowledged the issue. According to Area Manager, Ing. Godwin Yao Yabameh, plans are underway to address the problem under a forthcoming 100-day maintenance program.
“We are aware of the challenges facing the community,” he said. “Our team is preparing to replace the old poles and improve the overall safety of the power supply system.”
