Power interruptions temporary, necessary for lasting fix – Energy minister

The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has appealed to the public to remain patient with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) as it undertakes extensive upgrade works to improve power reliability nationwide. The appeal comes amid ongoing maintenance and infrastructure enhancement efforts that have led to intermittent disruptions in electricity supply.

Dr. Jinapor explained that while the current interventions may cause short-term inconvenience, they are essential to addressing long-standing structural deficiencies within Ghana’s electricity distribution system. These challenges, he noted, have accumulated over time and require comprehensive technical solutions to ensure lasting improvements.

“We therefore appeal to the public to bear with ECG during this period of intensive upgrades,” he said, acknowledging the impact of the works on households, businesses, and critical services.

According to the Minister, the government is rolling out a structured and phased programme aimed at significantly improving the performance of the national power distribution network. Key objectives of the initiative include reducing the frequency and duration of power outages, improving voltage stability to protect appliances and industrial equipment, and enhancing the speed and efficiency of fault detection and response.

He further indicated that the upgrades are strategically designed to support the integration of additional electricity generation capacity into the national grid. As Ghana’s energy demand continues to grow—driven by population expansion, urbanisation, and industrial activity—the need for a more robust and flexible distribution system has become increasingly urgent.

“These temporary inconveniences are part of a necessary process to deliver a more reliable and efficient power system,” Dr. Jinapor stated, emphasizing that the reforms form part of a broader effort to strengthen long-term energy security and sustainability in Ghana.

The Minister added that once completed, the upgrades are expected to enhance overall service delivery, reduce system losses, and improve customer satisfaction. The initiative also aligns with the government’s wider energy transition agenda, which seeks to modernise infrastructure while ensuring resilience and efficiency in power supply across the country.