On April 30, 2026, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) successfully restored electricity to Afram Plains after a major outage caused by damage to a marine cable in the River Afram. The fault occurred about 400 metres into the river, cutting off power to the entire Donkorkrom District.
The quick response from ECG involved local community divers and engineers who worked tirelessly to retrieve sections of the submerged cable for repair. Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, an engineer with ECG, stated, “Our initial checks confirmed a serious fault on the marine cable, which made it impossible to transmit power across the river.”
To tackle this challenge, engineers employed standard cable joints due to the absence of specialised marine joints. They also constructed a temporary wharf to protect the repaired section of the cable. This swift action not only highlighted the technical skills of ECG but also showcased the commitment of local divers who volunteered their time and expertise.
Moses Tangbe, the District Chief Executive for Afram Plains South, played a crucial role in facilitating the repair efforts. Dr Ayiku praised his intervention, saying, “Moses Tangbe assisted in resolving the challenge.” The collaboration between ECG and local officials demonstrated how community involvement can effectively address urgent issues.
After enduring days without power, residents expressed relief at the restoration. Many had faced difficulties due to the outage, and ECG issued an apology for any inconvenience caused. Now that power has been fully restored, life in Afram Plains is gradually returning to normal.
The successful resolution of this incident has led officials to consider improvements in infrastructure and emergency response protocols for future incidents. As communities continue to grow and rely on stable electricity supply, proactive measures will be essential in preventing similar outages.
Kwame Ofori
Evelyn Mensah
Ama Serwah