Ghana Minute.
Monday, 15 June 2026
Ghana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 15 June 2026
Accra—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Ghanaian press · Place

Akosombo

Also known as: Akosombo generating station

2026-04-242026-06-15
Share on WhatsApp

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. April 2026

  2. Joy Online

    President John Dramani Mahama has commended the Volta River Authority for its response to the recent fire outbreak at the Akosombo control room, describing the incident as an opportunity to modernise the facility. …

    Mahama encourages VRA, says Akosombo fire offers fresh start to modernise facility

  3. Joy Online

    President John Dramani Mahama has commended engineers at the Volta River Authority (VRA) and Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) for their swift intervention to restore power generation at the Akosombo plant after a fire incident damaged critical control units at the switchyard. …

    Mahama praises VRA, GRIDCo engineers during Akosombo switchyard inspection

  4. Business & Financial Times

    As at the time of going to press yesterday, news filtering in suggested the country’s main hydropower plant at Akosombo has recovered more than half of the roughly 1,000 MW lost following last week’s control room fire. …

    Editorial: Engineers have managed to restore more than half of lost power!

  5. Business & Financial Times

    …but grid still short of full recovery By Kizito CUDJOE The country’s main hydropower plant at Akosombo is now generating at least 550 megawatts (MW) after engineers restored a fourth unit, recovering more than half of the roughly 1,000 MW lost following last week’s control room …

    GRIDCo restores 550 MW at Akosombo after fire

  6. Joy Online

    … er of Parliament for Afigya Kwabre North, Collins Adomako-Mensah, has criticised the government’s decision to suspend the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) following the recent fire incident that disrupted key power transmission infrastructure at Akosombo …

    Power outages: GRIDCo CEO suspension not a solution – Minority MPs

  7. Joy Online

    The Minority in Parliament has rejected suggestions that the recent fire incident at the Akosombo substation is responsible for the ongoing power outages affecting parts of the country, insisting that the crisis predates the event. …

    Akosombo substation fire not cause of dumsor —Minority claims

  8. Joy Online

    … Mark Awuah Baah, following the recent control room fire at the Akosombo power generation centre, describing the move as difficult to justify. …

    GRIDCo CEO suspension over Akosombo substation fire difficult to justify – Dr Tutu-Boahene

  9. Joy Online

    … A fire at the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) Substation Switchyard in Akosombo on Thursday, April 23, 2026, significantly reduced national generation capacity by an estimated 720 to nearly 1,000 megawatts, forcing a halt in electricity exports and triggering emergency restor …

    Minority insists government still owes IPPs $500m and fuel suppliers over $200m

  10. Joy Online

    The Akosombo incident has exposed why Ghana must rethink centralised grid systems. …

    Ghana’s Grid Vulnerability: Akosombo, Solar Energy and the urgent case for decentralised power

  11. Joy Online

    … He confirmed that, following a recent fire outbreak at the Akosombo generating station, only two units remain operational. …

    Key updates on power outages following Akosombo substation fire incident
Society

GMA distributes 20,000 life jackets, deploys 200 water safety guards

The News

The Ghana Maritime Authority launched a nationwide Life Jackets for Safety and Livelihoods Project, distributing 20,000 life jackets to fishing and inland water transport communities and inaugurating 200 trained Inland Water Safety Guards. The Transport Minister announced a strict "No Life Jacket, No Travel" policy and said life jackets would be made accessible through subsidised sales, rental schemes, and a hybrid model to reduce fatalities on inland waterways.

Why it matters

Ghana Maritime Authority's nationwide life jacket distribution and safety guard deployment with strict 'No Life Jacket, No Travel' policy directly addresses water transport fatalities.

10 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Wednesday 10 June

  1. GMA distributes 20,000 life jackets, deploys 200 water safety guards

    The Ghana Maritime Authority launched a nationwide Life Jackets for Safety and Livelihoods Project, distributing 20,000 life jackets to fishing and inland water transport communities and inaugurating 200 trained Inland Water Safety Guards. The Transport Minister announced a strict "No Life Jacket, No Travel" policy and said life jackets would be made accessible through subsidised sales, rental schemes, and a hybrid model to reduce fatalities on inland waterways.

    10 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Tuesday 9 June

  1. GRIDCo board meets Speaker to discuss energy infrastructure agenda

    The Ghana Grid Company's eight-member board held discussions with Parliament's Speaker, Alban Bagbin, to strengthen stakeholder engagement on the nation's energy infrastructure agenda and introduce the new Board Chair. GRIDCo's Chief Executive outlined restoration works following a recent fire incident at Akosombo and plans for a new control room, while noting operational challenges from illegal chainsaw and mining activities affecting transmission infrastructure.

    9 June 2026 · Daily Guide →

  2. GRIDCo Board meets Speaker to strengthen energy infrastructure collaboration

    Ghana Grid Company's eight-member board held discussions with Parliament's Speaker Alban Bagbin to brief him on company developments and formally introduce Board Chair Kuukua Maurice Ankrah. The CEO outlined restoration efforts following a fire incident at Akosombo and plans for a permanent control room, while highlighting operational challenges from illegal chainsaw and mining activities affecting transmission infrastructure.

    9 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 8 June

  1. GRIDCo board meets Speaker on energy infrastructure collaboration

    Ghana Grid Company's board held discussions with Parliament's Speaker to strengthen engagement on the country's energy infrastructure agenda, briefing him on company developments and introducing the new Board Chair. The CEO outlined ongoing restoration work following a fire at Akosombo and plans for a new control room, while noting operational challenges from illegal chainsaw and mining activities.

    8 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

Monday 25 May

  1. Somanya-Kpong road receives bitumen surfacing after years of delay

    The Somanya-Kpong road in the Eastern Region's Yilo Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo municipalities has begun bituminous surfacing works as of May 22, 2026, following years of deterioration and public complaints. The reconstruction project, which started from Somanya Roundabout, involves primer seal application followed by asphalt laying to address the road's poor condition and improve durability.

    25 May 2026 · The Chronicle →

Sunday 17 May

  1. GMet warns of moderate to heavy rainfall Sunday evening

    Ghana's Meteorological Agency has issued a weather warning for moderate to heavy rainfall across several parts of Ghana from Sunday evening into the night, with the Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, and Western regions expected to be hardest hit. The agency advised residents in affected areas to avoid flood-prone areas, secure loose objects, and take precautionary measures as strong winds may precede the storms.

    17 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. GRIDCo board holds first-ever staff durbar at Tema head office

    Ghana Grid Company Limited's board of directors convened its inaugural direct engagement with staff in a durbar at the company's Tema head office, providing a platform for open dialogue and formally recognising engineers and technicians who restored operations at Akosombo Generating Station following an April 2026 fire incident.

    12 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 8 May

  1. GRIDCo plans state-of-the-art Akosombo switchyard rebuild after fire

    Ghana Grid Company Limited's board chair said the April 23 fire that destroyed the Akosombo switchyard control room will catalyse a long-overdue infrastructure overhaul at the country's most critical power transmission node, with commitment signalled from government and the company's board.

    8 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

Tuesday 5 May

  1. Ghana must invest in research and local expertise for development

    An opinion piece argues that Ghana's rapid local response to the Akosombo power disruption demonstrates the need for sustained investment in universities, technical institutions, and the newly operationalised Ghana National Research Fund to build domestic capacity rather than outsourcing critical capabilities.

    5 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 2 May

  1. Government defended for leadership during Ghana power crisis

    Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Finance Dr Theo Acheampong defended the government's handling of recent power supply challenges, saying clear leadership was demonstrated through timely communication and coordinated interventions following an incident at Akosombo hydro facility. However, Kofi Bentil of IMANI Africa criticized authorities for what he describes as "insincere" communication regarding persistent power outages.

    2 May 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Weak accountability in energy sector causes infrastructure failures, says ACEP director

    The Executive Director of the African Centre for Energy Policy has argued that defective accountability in Ghana's power sector has led to repeated infrastructure failures and system vulnerabilities, citing a recent Ghana Grid Company Limited substation fire near Akosombo and recurring power challenges in Kumasi as examples of issues that could have been prevented with proper planning and modern safety systems.

    2 May 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Akosombo substation fire was preventable incident, says ACEP chief

    Ben Boakye, Executive Director of the African Centre for Energy Policy, has described the April 23 fire at Ghana Grid Company Limited's Akosombo substation as a preventable incident caused by long-standing negligence and weak accountability in Ghana's power sector. He blamed inadequate maintenance and safety upgrades to transmission infrastructure dating back to the 1960s, noting that generation assets received upgrades while critical switchyard systems did not.

    2 May 2026 · Joy Online →

  4. Akosombo repair alone won't solve Ghana's broader energy crisis

    Director of Communications for the Bawumia Campaign Dennis Miracles Aboagye has argued that fixing Akosombo hydro plant does not end Ghana's electricity challenges, contending that power outages existed before the recent disruption and citing ongoing outages in parts of the Ashanti Region despite official assurances.

    2 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 1 May

  1. Mahama addresses workers at 2026 May Day celebration in Koforidua

    President John Mahama joined workers at Jackson Park in Koforidua on May 1, 2026, for the May Day celebration, delivering a keynote address on economic growth and job creation. He pledged that economic gains would reach workers, particularly in teaching, technical trades, and key sectors, and reaffirmed the government's commitment to translating macroeconomic stability into household-level prosperity.

    1 May 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Newsfile discusses Akosombo fire and Bank of Ghana losses

    JoyNews' Newsfile programme will examine the recent fire at Ghana Grid Company's Akosombo substation, which caused widespread power outages nationwide and resulted in significant loss of electricity supply, and will also tackle the Bank of Ghana's GH¢15.6 billion loss.

    1 May 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Newsfile to examine Akosombo fire and central bank losses

    JoyNews' Newsfile programme will analyse the recent fire at Ghana Grid Company's substation near Akosombo, which caused widespread power outages and led to emergency restoration efforts, as well as the Bank of Ghana's GH¢15.6 billion loss.

    1 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 30 April

  1. Fire destroys Akosombo GRIDCo substation control room

    A fire at the Akosombo GRIDCo substation caused intermittent power outages. President Mahama said the government will replace the damaged facility with a modern control room and advanced centre.

    30 April 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Mahama recommends automatic employment for NSS worker

    President John Dramani Mahama recommended automatic employment for a female NSS person who distinguished herself during recovery efforts after a fire at the Akosombo substation. The President commended engineers and technical teams for their swift response in restoring power and noted that the NSS personnel demonstrated exceptional dedication warranting reward for their commitment to stabilising the national grid.

    30 April 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Energy Committee MP questions Ghana's power stability claims

    An Energy Committee Member of Parliament has cautioned that gaps between Ghana's installed generating capacity and actual plant availability pose ongoing risks to the electricity system, despite the government's assertions of stable power supply. His remarks follow President Mahama's visit to the Akosombo Generating Station after a switchyard fire disrupted the national grid in late April.

    30 April 2026 · Joy Online →

  4. Deputy Finance Minister cites weak controls, poor accountability for economic crisis

    Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem Nyarko attributed Ghana's recent struggles with inflation, currency volatility, and debt restructuring to weak internal controls, poor risk management, and lack of accountability at leadership levels. He stated that institutions weaken gradually when governance is compromised, and warned that the costs included billions in public funds lost and erosion of public trust.

    30 April 2026 · Joy Online →

  5. Mahama sees Akosombo fire as chance to modernise facility

    President Mahama visited Akosombo to assess damage from a recent control room fire and commended the Volta River Authority's response. He characterised the incident as an opportunity to rebuild and upgrade the facility's infrastructure, noting the control room dates from 1964.

    30 April 2026 · Joy Online →

  6. Mahama commends VRA and GRIDCo engineers at Akosombo

    President Mahama visited the Akosombo plant to inspect damage from a fire incident at the switchyard and praised VRA and GRIDCo engineers for their work to restore the two remaining affected control units. He described VRA as one of Ghana's best-managed state enterprises and suggested the incident presents an opportunity to modernise infrastructure at the facility.

    30 April 2026 · Joy Online →

  7. Akosombo power plant restores 550 MW after control room fire

    Engineers have restored more than half of the approximately 1,000 MW lost following a control room fire at Ghana's main hydropower plant on April 23, with Akosombo now generating at least 550 megawatts after bringing a fourth unit back online. GRIDCo and the Volta River Authority are continuing work to restore remaining units and transmission lines.

    30 April 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

Wednesday 29 April

  1. GRIDCo restores 550 MW at Akosombo after control room fire

    Ghana's Akosombo hydropower plant has restored at least 550 megawatts after engineers brought a fourth unit back online, recovering more than half of the roughly 1,000 MW lost in an April 23 control room fire. Work is ongoing to bring remaining units and transmission lines back to full capacity.

    29 April 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

Tuesday 28 April

  1. Minority MPs criticize GRIDCo CEO suspension as inadequate response

    The Minority in Parliament has criticized the government's suspension of the GRIDCo CEO following a fire at Akosombo that disrupted power transmission, arguing that administrative actions alone do not address the underlying challenges facing Ghana's electricity supply system.

    28 April 2026 · Joy Online →

  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. Dr Tutu-Boahene calls GRIDCo CEO suspension unjustifiable

    A University of Education, Winneba lecturer has criticised the suspension of GRIDCo's CEO following a fire at the Akosombo power control room, arguing that the decision is difficult to justify given that a fire may be a natural occurrence beyond direct control.

    28 April 2026 · Joy Online →

  4. Minority challenges government claim of cleared power sector debts

    The Minority in Parliament says government still owes Independent Power Producers more than $500 million and fuel suppliers over $200 million, contradicting official claims that power sector debts have been cleared. The Minority is demanding that the Ministers for Energy and Finance appear before Parliament to present a comprehensive and independently verified breakdown of the sector's finances, including how funds from the Dumsor levy have been collected and spent.

    28 April 2026 · Joy Online →

  5. Ghana's grid vulnerable to disruption; decentralisation urged

    A disruption at Akosombo exposed risks in Ghana's centralised power grid, with potential loss of up to 1,000MW of transmission capacity—about 25 per cent of peak demand—affecting households, hospitals and businesses. The incident highlights why Ghana must rethink reliance on hydropower and move toward decentralised energy systems.

    28 April 2026 · Joy Online →

  6. Fire at Akosombo station reduces capacity; repairs expected by week end

    Following a fire outbreak at Akosombo generating station, only two units remain operational, according to the Energy Ministry. Engineering teams are working around the clock with expectations that full stabilisation efforts will be concluded by the end of the week.

    28 April 2026 · Joy Online →

Akosombo — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute