The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) has raised alarm over the growing threat illegal mining poses to the country’s power transmission infrastructure.
Deputy CEO for Engineering & Operations, Ing. Frank Otchere, voiced the concern during a working visit by Parliament’s Energy Committee.
“Right-of-way clearing has become lucrative to galamseyers in a number of areas. Our people go and see that overnight, illegal mining activities are happening dangerously close to our towers.”
He explained that transmission towers are built with carefully calculated foundations based on ground studies, and any disruption near them could compromise their structural integrity.
“We’ve had to rush in to do intermediary reinforcements in some areas,” he noted.
Otchere also revealed that GRIDCo maintenance teams have faced threats in certain zones.
“Some of our staff have been shot at and had to flee,” he said, calling for urgent multi-agency support to protect the infrastructure.
GRIDCo has appealed for coordinated action from security forces and stakeholders to prevent a potential disaster and safeguard the national grid.
