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Monday, 15 June 2026
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Ghanaian press · Place

Akosombo substation

Also known as: Akosombo Hydroelectric Power Station

2026-04-272026-06-15

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. April 2026
  2. Joy Online

    AKOSOMBO SUBSTATION FIRE I address you today on two critical but distinct developments within our power sector that have affected electricity supply across the country recently.

    Full Text: Energy Minister’s presentation on power challenges after Akosombo substation fire
  3. Joy Online

    Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has assured Ghanaians of transparency and regular updates as the country continues to grapple with electricity supply challenges following the recent disruption at the Akosombo Hydroelectric Power Station.

    “We’ll not live in denial” over power challenges following Akosombo fire – Jinapor
  4. Joy Online

    The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has outlined the government’s interventions in the power sector, attributing recent electricity disruptions to technical challenges at the Akosombo Substation while assuring Ghanaians of ongoing efforts to restor

    Energy Minister details power sector reforms, explains Akosombo substation fire and assures restoration
  5. Joy Online

    The reassurance follows growing concerns from consumers over intermittent electricity in several parts of the country, linked to ongoing repair works after a fire incident at the Akosombo substation operated by the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo).

    ‘It’s a bit too early to call for dumsor timetable’ – ECG PRO
  6. Joy Online

    This follows a fire outbreak at GRIDCo’s Akosombo substation and multiple network faults on Sunday.

    See the areas that will be affected by ECG’s planned maintenance on Monday, April 27
  7. Joy Online

    John Abdulai Jinapor, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, has directed a nationwide audit of all energy installations following the recent explosion and fire outbreak at the Akosombo substation of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo).

    Energy Minister orders nationwide audit of energy installations
Mining & Energy

Akosombo fire caused by ageing cables, not sabotage

The News

An investigating committee found that the Akosombo Substation fire was caused by insulation failure in decades-old cables in the low-voltage panel, not human interference. The initial power supply automatically tripped at 311 amps, but a second transformer set to trip only at 450 amps allowed the fault to continue and generate excessive heat.

Why it matters

Key infrastructure finding: Akosombo fire caused by aging cables, not sabotage—important closure on a major national incident affecting power supply.

12 June 2026 · Daily Guide

Friday 12 June

  1. Akosombo fire caused by ageing cables, not sabotage

    An investigating committee found that the Akosombo Substation fire was caused by insulation failure in decades-old cables in the low-voltage panel, not human interference. The initial power supply automatically tripped at 311 amps, but a second transformer set to trip only at 450 amps allowed the fault to continue and generate excessive heat.

    12 June 2026 · Daily Guide

  2. ASEC calls for infrastructure reforms after Akosombo Substation fire

    The Africa Sustainable Energy Centre has urged sweeping reforms in Ghana's electricity transmission infrastructure following an investigation into the Akosombo Substation fire, which was attributed to insulation failure caused by ageing infrastructure. ASEC called for strengthened maintenance practices, improved fire protection systems, and implementation of regular thermal imaging inspections across major substations.

    12 June 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 11 June

  1. Government orders safety review after Akosombo substation fire

    Following a report on the Akosombo Substation fire, the government has directed relevant institutions to undertake enhanced safety and risk management measures at critical power installations. Agencies responsible for key power infrastructure have been tasked to develop and implement an action plan covering safety protocols, infrastructure improvements and periodic audits.

    11 June 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Minister promises accountability after Akosombo fire investigation

    Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister for Energy and Green Transition, has received a final investigative report on the Akosombo Substation fire and assured Ghanaians that government will pursue accountability, address any shortcomings, and prevent similar incidents in future.

    11 June 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Akosombo Substation fire caused by insulation failure, not sabotage

    An investigation committee concluded that a fire at the Akosombo Substation resulted from insulation failure in ageing cables in the low-voltage panel rather than deliberate sabotage. The committee found that cables installed decades ago had deteriorated over time, becoming brittle and allowing abnormal electrical current flow.

    11 June 2026 · Joy Online

Friday 1 May

  1. Power generation units restored after Akosombo substation fire

    Energy Minister John Jinapor announced that all power generation units have been restored following a major system disruption that affected electricity supply across parts of the country. He credited engineers, technicians, and emergency response teams, along with Ghana Grid Company Limited, Volta River Authority, and Electricity Company of Ghana, for their coordination in stabilizing the national power system.

    1 May 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 30 April

  1. Fifth Akosombo unit restored as Ghana nears grid stability

    Ghana's grid recovery has reached its final stages following a fire at a GRIDCo substation that damaged Akosombo's control room and sparked blackouts. The Energy Minister confirmed the successful commissioning of the fifth-generation unit at Akosombo Hydroelectric Power Station, bringing the plant's operational capacity to near-maximum levels and providing a boost to national generation capacity.

    30 April 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Energy Minister praises Mahama's response to Akosombo fire

    Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor commended President John Dramani Mahama for his hands-on leadership following a recent fire at the Akosombo substation, noting the President's close contact and guidance since the incident and his recognition of recovery efforts by engineers and staff.

    30 April 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Mahama calls Akosombo substation fire 'act of God'

    President John Mahama visited the Akosombo substation after a fire outbreak in its control room, describing the incident as "an act of God" while commending VRA staff for their swift response. He said the disruption presents an opportunity to replace the control room with modern infrastructure.

    30 April 2026 · Joy Online

Wednesday 29 April

  1. Minority demands Energy Minister face accountability for power crisis

    The Minority in Parliament has called for scrutiny of the Energy Minister and President over the ongoing power crisis, arguing that the problem predates the April 23, 2026 fire at Akosombo and stems from prolonged policy failures and mismanagement rather than that single incident.

    29 April 2026 · The Chronicle

Tuesday 28 April

  1. Energy Minister commends restoration efforts after Akosombo fire

    The Energy Minister visited the Akosombo Substation following a fire that disrupted power supply and caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts to the national grid, praising engineers and technical teams working to restore electricity despite difficult conditions.

    28 April 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

  2. Minority rejects Akosombo fire as cause of power crisis

    Ghana's Minority in Parliament has rejected claims that the April 23 fire at Akosombo substation caused ongoing power outages, insisting the electricity crisis predates the incident and began on January 25. Deputy Ranking Member Collins Adomako-Mensah stated the power crisis was caused by government mismanagement, not the accident.

    28 April 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Minority accuses government of semantic deception over power crisis

    The Minority in Parliament accused the government of misleading Ghanaians by describing a nationwide power supply crisis as routine maintenance and transformer upgrades, arguing the situation stems from policy failures and non-execution of the Energy Sector Recovery Programme rather than engineering schedules.

    28 April 2026 · Joy Online

  4. Energy Minister praises Akosombo engineers restoring power after fire

    Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, the Energy Minister, commended engineers and technical staff at Akosombo Substation for their work restoring damaged control systems following a fire incident that cut over 1,000 megawatts from the national grid. He assured the teams of government support and pledged efforts to restore stable electricity supply and strengthen the power system's resilience.

    28 April 2026 · Joy Online

  5. Energy Minister pledges swift restoration after substation fire

    A fire at Akosombo Substation's control room caused the loss of over 1,000 megawatts of power to the national grid. The Energy Minister has pledged that government will work to restore stable electricity supply as quickly as possible.

    28 April 2026 · Joy Online

  6. Akosombo substation fire knocks out over 1,000 megawatts

    A fire at the Akosombo substation cut more than 1,000 megawatts of power and disrupted the national grid in one of the most serious disruptions in recent years. The Minister of Energy and Green Transition said two generating units have been restored through emergency interventions, with efforts to bring remaining capacity back online within a week.

    28 April 2026 · Business & Financial Times

  7. Fire at Akosombo substation cuts 1,000 megawatts, triggers power crisis

    A fire at Ghana's Akosombo substation on April 23, 2026 damaged the transmission system, cutting over 1,000 megawatts of power and causing widespread outages across the country. The Energy Minister attributed the crisis partly to obsolete equipment and underinvestment, while government has launched emergency interventions and investigations.

    28 April 2026 · The Chronicle

Monday 27 April

  1. Akosombo substation fire: Partial power restored, full recovery expected within week

    Following emergency interventions at Akosombo Substation, the Energy Minister announced partial restoration of power, with two generating units successfully restored. Engineers are working to restore remaining units, with normalcy expected within the week.

    27 April 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Akosombo substation fire disrupts national electricity supply

    A fire at the Akosombo Substation damaged the control room responsible for power evacuation, leaving over 1,000 megawatts of power stranded and disrupting electricity supply across the country, Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor confirmed. He described it as one of the most serious system shocks in recent times and said technical teams are working to stabilise the grid and restore supply.

    27 April 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Security agencies investigating criminal aspect of Akosombo fire

    Ghana's Energy Minister confirms that security agencies are conducting criminal investigations into a fire at the Akosombo Hydroelectric Power Station on April 23, while a technical committee assesses the root cause. The government is not ruling out arson or other criminal activity.

    27 April 2026 · Joy Online

  4. Ghana's dumsor driven by generation shortfall, not technical faults

    JoyNews Research data shows Ghana faces a 37% dependable capacity deficit, with thermal plants generating 1,679 of 2,551 expected megawatts and hydropower producing only 403 of 1,411 expected megawatts, suggesting power generation shortfall rather than technical disruptions is the root cause of recent outages.

    27 April 2026 · Joy Online

  5. Energy Minister details power sector reforms and Akosombo fire impact

    Ghana's energy minister presented government efforts to stabilise the power sector over fifteen months, citing a generation deficit of over 700 megawatts inherited in December 2024, alongside reforms in generation, transmission, and distribution. The statement addressed power challenges following an Akosombo substation fire, highlighting improved fuel supply, gas payments, and revenue collection improvements.

    27 April 2026 · Joy Online

  6. Energy minister pledges transparency on Akosombo fire power impacts

    Minister John Abdulai Jinapor has assured Ghanaians of honest communication and regular updates on electricity supply challenges following a recent fire incident at the Akosombo Hydroelectric Power Station. The incident has created a supply gap affecting parts of the country, with the situation described as fluid and difficult to predict through fixed load-shedding schedules.

    27 April 2026 · Joy Online

  7. Energy Minister outlines power sector reforms and substation fire response

    The Minister for Energy and Green Transition outlined government interventions in the power sector over the past 15 months, attributing recent electricity disruptions to technical challenges at Akosombo Substation while assuring restoration efforts. He noted that when the current administration took office in December 2024, the sector faced a generation deficit of over 700 megawatts, which coordinated reforms across generation, transmission, and distribution—including improved payments to Independent Power Producers and stabilised fuel supply—have since helped address.

    27 April 2026 · Joy Online

  8. ECG says it is too early to announce load-shedding timetable

    The Electricity Company of Ghana has urged the public to remain calm over recent power supply fluctuations and says it is premature to introduce a load-shedding timetable. The company attributes recent intermittent electricity to repair works following a fire incident at the Akosombo substation, with engineers making steady progress in restoring the transmission network.

    27 April 2026 · Joy Online

  9. ECG schedules Western Region maintenance; fire disrupts Central supply

    The Electricity Company of Ghana has scheduled a seven-hour planned maintenance in the Western Region on Monday, April 27, affecting dozens of communities. This follows a fire outbreak at GRIDCo's Akosombo substation on Sunday that has reduced power supply to the Central Region.

    27 April 2026 · Joy Online

  10. Energy Minister orders nationwide audit after Akosombo substation fire

    Following a recent explosion and fire at the Akosombo substation of GRIDCo, Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor has directed a nationwide audit of all energy installations to assess operational readiness and safety of critical infrastructure. The audit, taking effect from Monday, will involve key stakeholders and focus on safety standards, maintenance systems, and emergency response preparedness.

    27 April 2026 · Joy Online

Akosombo substation — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute