GRIDCo, the Ghana Grid Company Limited, has issued a firm deadline of September 12, 2026, for all occupants currently engaging in activities encroaching upon the High Voltage Transmission Line Right-of-Way (RoW) across the country. This directive follows a recent incident resulting in the damage to a tower on the Ashaiman section of the 161kV Tema-Achimota transmission line, which triggered the renewed emphasis on regulatory compliance.
According to GRIDCo, the company has been actively working with relevant statutory institutions to enforce the law and remove unauthorized structures and activities from the transmission line RoW. This action is a direct consequence of the expiration of the initial deadline, which GRIDCo emphasized in its statement on Sunday. The company stresses that the restoration of power supply to areas in the Greater Accra Region following the tower replacement work is a testament to the impact of the temporary outage, which lasted for 15 hours on two consecutive weekends.
The damage to the tower was caused by a tanker collision, prompting GridCo to formally renew its warning regarding encroachment on transmission line corridors. The company cites the Transmission Line Protection Regulations, 1967 (L.I. 542), as the primary legal basis for this renewed emphasis. These regulations prohibit a range of unauthorized activities within transmission line corridors, including unauthorized construction, excavation, drilling, commercial operations, lorry parks, shops, garages, and other interference with the safe operation and maintenance of the infrastructure.
Specifically, GridCo referenced the amended Transmission Line Protection Regulations, 1967, as L.I. 1737 of 2004, which now prohibits several activities such as unauthorized construction, excavation, drilling, commercial operations, lorry parks, shops, garages, and other activities that could jeopardize the safe operation and maintenance of the transmission network. This regulation, and subsequent directives from Minister Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, require individuals and businesses to cease unauthorized activities and vacate the affected corridors within a one-month timeframe. GridCo has stated that it is actively cooperating with authorities to ensure full compliance with this directive.
The incident has highlighted the critical importance of maintaining the integrity of the transmission line RoW. GRIDCo further notes that the safety of the public and the reliability of the national power grid are paramount, and that continued encroachment poses significant risks. The company’s statement confirms that it has engaged with local authorities to coordinate the removal of unauthorized structures and activities, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding the power supply system.
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Source: Graphic Online
