GRIDCo begins Ashanti eviction exercise over safety risks under high-voltage lines

The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has begun an eviction exercise in the Ashanti Region to remove people, businesses and structures occupying areas under its high-voltage transmission lines.

The company says the exercise is necessary to protect lives and prevent activities within the transmission corridor from damaging critical electricity infrastructure. GRIDCo has previously warned that encroachment on its Right-of-Way can also make it difficult for engineers to access the network during maintenance and emergencies.

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The latest exercise follows a recent incident at Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region, where a fuel tanker explosion damaged one of GRIDCo’s transmission towers. The incident has renewed concerns about activities involving flammable materials around high-voltage infrastructure.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, September 17, 2026, the Director of Land Management at GRIDCo, Engineer Bismark Anane, said the incident had prompted the directive to clear the transmission corridors.

“The Minister for Energy issued the directive following a recent incident at Ashaiman where a fuel tanker exploded and part of it flew and dented one of the transmission towers. So, to prevent a recurrence of such incidents, a one-month period has been given for occupants living within the Right-of-Way of the transmission lines to vacate voluntarily,” he said.

He said continued occupation of the Right-of-Way exposes residents and businesses to danger while also affecting GRIDCo’s ability to carry out routine maintenance and respond quickly to faults on the network.

At Ejisu, residents, traders, artisans and commercial drivers operating under or around the high-tension lines have been given 30 days to vacate. GRIDCo says the exercise is being carried out with the support of relevant state agencies.

GRIDCo has also clarified that affected persons will not automatically qualify for compensation. According to Engineer Anane, compensation will depend on whether an occupant can provide proper and verifiable documents proving a legitimate interest in the affected land or residence.

He said persons who occupied the area without lawful authority or official documentation would not qualify for compensation because their occupation is considered illegal.

Meanwhile, some affected occupants have appealed for a more humane approach to the exercise. While some say they are prepared to comply with the directive, they want GRIDCo and the relevant authorities to provide alternative places where they can relocate their businesses and homes.

Some residents have also blamed the Ejisu Municipal Assembly, claiming they were allowed to operate in the area for years despite the presence of the transmission lines. Others say they settled in the area before the transmission lines were installed and are therefore asking the authorities to consider their circumstances.

The affected occupants fear that a forceful eviction without alternative arrangements could lead to the loss of homes, businesses and livelihoods. They are therefore appealing to the government and GRIDCo to consider their concerns while ensuring that the transmission corridors are cleared.

ANAS/MA

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