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Thursday, 30 July 2026
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Thursday, 30 July 2026
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Ghanaian press · Organization

Volta River Authority

Also known as: VRA

Volta River Authority — operates Ghana's electricity generation and transmission infrastructure, managing water resource operations including lagoon floodgates and responding to major grid incidents.

2026-04-272026-07-30

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026
  2. Daily Guide

    The President made the announcement on Friday, May 1, 2026, during the May Day celebrations at Jackson Park, Koforidua. “Just yesterday, I was in Akosombo here in the Eastern Region to inspect the damage at the Volta River Authority Electricity Generation Station following the de

    Akosombo Dam Back At Full Capacity – Mahama
  3. The Ghanaian Times

    In a statement, the Minister praised the efforts of personnel from the Ghana Grid Company Limited, Volta River Authority and Electricity Company of Ghana for their commitment and coordination during the emergency.

    Energy Minister announces full restoration of power generation units after major grid disruption
  4. Joy Online

    He specifically praised engineers from Ghana Grid Company Limited and the Volta River Authority for restoring operations at the Akosombo Hydroelectric Plant following a recent fire incident.

    Economic stability only foundational, the real task is to build a better life for our people – Prez Mahama
  5. Joy Online

    President John Mahama has announced the full restoration of electricity generation at the Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam following recent disruptions caused by a fire at the Volta River Authority (VRA) switchyard control room.

    Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam fully operational, engineers have restored all six turbines – Mahama
  6. Joy Online

    The Minister also commended the leadership and staff of key state power institutions, including Ghana Grid Company Limited, Volta River Authority, and Electricity Company of Ghana, for their coordination and swift response in restoring power supply.

    All power generation units restored after Akosombo Substation fire – John Jinapor
  7. April 2026
  8. Joy Online

    The Director of Human Resources at the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and board member of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Wonder Victor Kutor, ESQ, has called on prison inmates to view themselves as an integral part of the national fabric.

    Embrace skills training for successful reintegration – YEA HR Director urges inmates
  9. Joy Online

    Engineers from the Volta River Authority (VRA) and GRIDCo have been working around the clock to bypass damaged control systems and synchronise the massive turbines back onto the national high-voltage transmission line.

    Fifth unit at Akosombo goes live as grid recovery nears final stages
  10. Joy Online

    During the visit on Thursday, April 30, the President inspected ongoing restoration works and praised the Volta River Authority for their swift response in stabilising the situation, describing the fire outbreak at the Akosombo control room as an opportunity to modernise the faci

    Photos: Mahama visits Akosombo Dam, calls for upgrade after fire incident
  11. Joy Online

    During the visit, the President praised engineers from the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) for restoring four out of six generating units within a week, returning about 550 megawatts to the system.

    Installed capacity is not enough — Energy Committee MP raises concerns over power reliability
  12. Joy Online

    The AGM was on the theme, “Strengthening governance and accountability for members’ confidence.” Hydro Co-operative Credit Union was established by the staff members of the Volta River Authority (VRA) in March 1971 with a mission of helping members to attain a lifetime of financi

    Governance is about decisions, accountability—Deputy Finance Minister

Yesterday

  1. Deputy Energy Minister assures investors of stable power supply

    The Deputy Minister of Energy and Green Transition assured investors of reliable power supply, noting that GH¢1.4 billion has been spent to clear legacy debts to Independent Power Producers, electricity access has reached about 89 per cent, and installed generation capacity has exceeded 5,300 megawatts.

    29 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

  2. VALCO loses quarter of capacity; needs strategic investor

    The Volta Aluminium Company has lost more than a quarter of its operating capacity since June due to ageing equipment breakdowns, causing monthly output to halve and metal purity to fall below industry standards. GIADEC confirms the smelter needs a strategic equity investor and hundreds of millions of dollars in capital to modernise its nearly 60-year-old technology and meet international competitive standards.

    29 July 2026 · Joy Online

Tuesday 28 July

  1. Ghana's energy reforms target debt reduction and IPP payment stability

    The government is implementing power sector reforms aimed at financial sustainability and preventing debt accumulation owed to Independent Power Producers, with renegotiated IPP agreements generating more than $240 million in savings. The Deputy Energy Minister said IPPs are currently being paid 80 to 90 percent monthly, with improved revenue collections from distribution companies contributing to stronger financial discipline.

    28 July 2026 · Joy Online

Monday 20 July

  1. VRA chief: reliable electricity essential for 24-hour economy

    The Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority has emphasised that Ghana's 24-Hour Economy policy and industrial transformation agenda require reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity, warning that factories, hospitals, transport systems and businesses cannot operate continuously without dependable power supply.

    20 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

Thursday 9 July

  1. Keta floodgate opens to ease flooding; chief urges calm

    The Paramount Chief of Amugo-Vego Traditional Area in Keta Municipality has called on residents to remain calm as the Keta Lagoon floodgates are opened to mitigate flooding affecting several communities. The chief praised the swift intervention of local officials and engineers, while warning against late closure of the floodgate to prevent a repeat of drought conditions experienced three years ago.

    9 July 2026 · Joy Online

Wednesday 8 July

  1. VRA opens Keta floodgate to manage lagoon flooding

    The Volta River Authority has opened the Havedzi floodgate in Keta Municipality to allow lagoon water to flow into the sea and regulate water levels following heavy rains that flooded communities, farmlands, and roads. The Keta MCE said the measure is part of the Keta Sea Defence and lagoon management system, and water levels will be closely monitored to assess its effectiveness.

    8 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

Thursday 2 July

  1. Keta Assembly to open lagoon floodgates Friday

    The Keta Municipal Assembly will open the Kedzi Azizadzi floodgates on Friday, July 3, to drain excess floodwater from the overflowed lagoon into the sea as part of efforts to ease severe flooding affecting the municipality. The operation will be undertaken by technical experts and engineers from the Volta River Authority, NADMO, and other relevant institutions.

    2 July 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Ministry plans audit to isolate government debt constraining TOR

    The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition is commissioning a comprehensive audit of state energy sector agencies' balance sheets to identify and remove government-related debt, enabling entities like Tema Oil Refinery to access commercial financing more easily. TOR's Board Chairman disclosed the company inherited approximately US$517 million in legacy debt when the current Board began in July 2025.

    2 July 2026 · Business & Financial Times

  3. TOR discusses recapitalisation strategy with government, ESLA receivables

    Tema Oil Refinery's Managing Director says he has initiated direct conversations with government on mechanisms to recapitalise the company's balance sheet, including releasing TOR's outstanding ESLA receivables of at least GH¢1.6billion, to address an accumulated deficit of GH¢7.869billion and negative equity position of GH¢4.53billion.

    2 July 2026 · Business & Financial Times

Wednesday 1 July

  1. GNFS contains diesel tanker fire; one dead at Asutuare Junction

    The Ghana National Fire Service extinguished a diesel tanker fire at Asutuare Junction in the Eastern Region on June 28, 2026, after deploying four fire pumps. One person believed to be the driver was found burnt to death, while the driver's mate was rescued and hospitalised.

    1 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

Thursday 25 June

  1. Ghana National Fire Service strengthens fire safety partnerships

    The Western Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service completed a familiarization tour of major corporate and industrial institutions in the Western Region to strengthen partnerships and enhance fire safety preparedness. During the engagements, the Service presented firefighting equipment and discussed improving fire readiness through proactive prevention measures and collaboration between GNFS and the corporate sector.

    25 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

  2. Fire Service strengthens emergency preparedness across Western Region industries

    The Western Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service has undertaken a familiarisation tour of major corporate institutions to strengthen partnerships and promote fire prevention and workplace safety. The Fire Service donated firefighting equipment including CO₂ extinguishers, dry chemical powder extinguishers, and fire extinguishing balls to the visited organisations.

    25 June 2026 · Joy Online

Tuesday 23 June

  1. VRA warns public against fraudulent recruitment scams

    The Volta River Authority has issued a public warning against individuals fraudulently claiming to represent the Authority and offering employment in exchange for payment. The VRA stated it does not charge fees at any stage of its recruitment process and urged the public to verify communications through official channels and report suspicious activities to police.

    23 June 2026 · Joy Online

Friday 12 June

  1. 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. 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

Tuesday 9 June

  1. State enterprises turned profit in 2024, lost GH¢9.7bn overall

    The 2024 State Ownership Report shows 35 of 54 state-owned enterprises turned a profit, but the sector posted a net loss of GH¢9.68 billion after tax, worse than the GH¢7.14 billion loss in 2023, driven by losses at a handful of giant utilities and currency revaluation effects from the weakening cedi.

    9 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times

Monday 8 June

  1. Ghana needs CEO-Government compact for economic transformation

    An opinion piece argues that Ghana's restored macroeconomic stability—including Cedi appreciation, 3.3% inflation, 6% GDP growth, and 45.3% debt-to-GDP ratio in 2025—creates the foundation for a structured partnership between government and business to drive economic transformation.

    8 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times

Wednesday 3 June

  1. VRA staff association opposes government privatisation plan for NEDCo

    The Volta River Authority's Senior Staff Association has petitioned the Minister of Energy against the government's proposed Private Sector Participation arrangement for the Northern Electricity Distribution Company, calling it a "disguised privatisation" that would transfer core utility functions to private operators and contradict the President's assurances on state ownership.

    3 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

Tuesday 2 June

  1. VRA CEO wins energy sector executive award at Ghana summit

    Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo, Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority, has been named Energy Sector Chief Executive of the Year at the 10th Ghana CEO Summit in Accra, marking his second consecutive recognition of this award. The honour recognises his exemplary leadership and strategic direction in Ghana's energy sector and VRA's reliable electricity supply and contribution to affordable power generation.

    2 June 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 21 May

  1. Temporary GRIDCo control room to complete by September 2026

    Ghana's Energy Minister announced that a temporary control room for Ghana Grid Company at Akosombo Switchyard will be completed by the end of September 2026, following an April fire that caused over 1,000 megawatts of power loss. Government is also planning to construct a permanent modern control room to strengthen the nation's power transmission infrastructure.

    21 May 2026 · Joy Online

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Energy Minister inspects temporary control room at Akosombo

    Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister of Energy and Green Transition, visited Akosombo Switchyard to assess progress on construction of a temporary control room structure, part of efforts to strengthen power transmission operations. The visit included briefings from GRIDCo Chief Executive Frank Oware and VRA Chief Executive Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo.

    20 May 2026 · Joy Online

  2. VRA Academy launches West African mini-grid training programme

    The Volta River Authority Academy has launched a two-week regional training programme on clean mini-grid design, installation and inspection to accelerate rural electrification across West Africa. The 'training of trainers' programme, delivered in partnership with ECREEE and Takoradi Technical University, draws 20 engineers and technical practitioners from ECOWAS countries and aims to establish a skilled workforce capable of deploying sustainable, decentralised solar energy systems.

    20 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times

  3. VRA and NEDCo staff reject government privatisation plan

    Staff groups at the Volta River Authority and Northern Electricity Distribution Company have rejected a government proposal for Private-Sector Participation in northern power distribution, saying it would transfer operational control to private entities while leaving structural challenges unaddressed and leaving NEDCo workers idle. They argue the arrangement, which would split asset management between NEDCo and a private participant, would compromise supply reliability and service quality, and amounts to "full privatisation disguised as participation."

    20 May 2026 · Joy Online

Tuesday 19 May

  1. State-owned enterprises' losses threaten Ghana's fiscal balance

    Persistent losses by state-owned enterprises (SOEs) pose a risk to Ghana's fiscal balance and debt sustainability following the IMF bailout, according to a corporate governance consultant. The article contextualizes Ghana's SOE sector from independence through economic crises of the 1980s–90s, which reduced government capacity to finance operations and worsened SOE performance.

    19 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times

  2. VRA Academy aims to bridge Ghana's engineering skills shortage

    The Volta River Authority says it is stepping up efforts to help bridge Ghana's engineering skills gap through the VRA Academy and strategic regional training initiatives, with a focus on building local technical capacity to support the country's growing energy and engineering sectors.

    19 May 2026 · Joy Online

Monday 18 May

  1. IIA Ghana marks 25 years, plans regional expansion

    The Institute of Internal Auditors Ghana launched its 25th anniversary celebrations, pledging to deepen its footprint through expansion into northern Ghana and continued investment in professional development. The institute, founded in March 2000 with 30 members, now has approximately 300 members including more than 176 Certified Internal Auditors.

    18 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times

Thursday 14 May

  1. Ghana's economy expands 7.7% in February year-on-year

    Ghana's Monthly Indicator of Economic Growth rose to 111.3 in February 2026 from 103.3 in February 2025, recording a 7.7 per cent growth rate. The services sector accounted for 47.6 per cent of expansion, industry contributed 44.2 per cent, while agriculture and net indirect taxes contributed 5.5 per cent and 2.7 per cent respectively.

    14 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times

  2. Ghana's economic growth nearly doubles to 7.7% in February

    Ghana's economy expanded by 7.7 percent in February 2026, nearly double the 3.9 percent growth from February 2025, driven by strong performances in the industry and services sectors. The Monthly Indicator of Economic Growth showed industry growing at 9.6 percent and services at 7.4 percent, though agriculture slowed to 3.8 percent.

    14 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times

  3. Annoh-Dompreh urges Mahama to address worsening power outages

    The Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh has written to President Mahama warning that recurring power outages, known as "dumsor," are destroying businesses and livelihoods, with cold store operators, restaurants, salons and small-scale manufacturers particularly affected. He also criticised the GHS1 fuel levy, which was justified as a measure to stabilise electricity supply and reduce fuel prices, yet outages have worsened and fuel costs have risen.

    14 May 2026 · The Chronicle

Wednesday 13 May

  1. Annoh-Dompreh urges Mahama to act on energy, cocoa, food crises

    Annoh-Dompreh has written an open letter to President Mahama calling for executive intervention on energy sector challenges including a resurgence of power cuts, the plight of cocoa farmers facing price cuts and lost investments, food security concerns, and an institutional crisis at the Environmental Protection Authority.

    13 May 2026 · Joy Online

Volta River Authority — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute