National Service person employed on President Mahama’s orders speaks for the first time

Stephanie Baan, young National Service personnel who recently became a topic of discussion after receiving instant employment for her role during the fire outbreak at the Akosombo switchyard, has spoken publicly for the first time.

In a video sighted by GhanaWeb on May 4, 2026, Stephanie Baan explained how she was noticed by the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, during a routine inspection at the GRIDCo substation following the fire outbreak.

According to her, the minister spotted her working tirelessly in the trenches alongside her team and other service personnel as they worked around the clock to resolve the power outages.

“We’ve been working under pressure to restore power to the nation. What actually brought me into the spotlight was when the Energy Minister came to the yard one evening for a routine inspection. He found me deep in the trench pulling out cables, and he was very impressed.

Meet the woman who helped fight Akosombo fire and got a job from Mahama

“It was late in the night, around 10 PM, and what made him even more impressed was that I was a National Service personnel. That’s how he recommended me to His Excellency,” she said.

Stephanie Baan also expressed her profound gratitude to the minister for recommending her to President John Dramani Mahama.

She further thanked the President, noting that she believes she was singled out among her colleagues by grace.

“We were all working hands-on, my team, fellow service personnel, engineers, everyone was contributing to restoring power for the nation.

“I was overwhelmed; I wasn’t expecting it. I’m grateful to God. I see it as a favour because I can’t explain it; it was just perfect timing. I’m also grateful to the Energy Minister for recognising my efforts and bringing my name to the spotlight,” she added.

Watch the video below:

Stephen Baan, the NSS personnel recommended by President John Dramani Mahama, shares her story. https://t.co/cpgw32Qb33 pic.twitter.com/Yp0incSX0c

— 𝕏 Ghana 🇬🇭 (@xghana_) May 4, 2026