The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), Ing. Mark Awuah Baah, has been asked to step aside. This order comes from the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor. It is in response to a significant fire at the Akosombo Power Control Centre. The fire is understood to have disrupted power supply in several regions of Ghana. A full investigation into the cause of the incident has been launched.
This action follows recent nationwide power outages. Many parts of the country experienced blackouts. Intermittent power cuts have also been reported by citizens. GRIDCo and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) had previously attributed these issues to upgrades. These upgrades are meant to improve power supply and stability. The fire at the Akosombo substation happened earlier this week. This event has intensified concerns about the reliability of the national power system.
Ghana's energy sector is critical to its economic growth. GRIDCo plays a vital role in this sector. It manages the National Interconnected Transmission System. This system transmits electricity from power generators to distributors like ECG. Reliable power is essential for businesses and households. Past issues with power supply, often referred to as "dumsor", have significantly impacted Ghana's economy. The government is keen to avoid a recurrence of such widespread disruptions.
Ing. Mark Awuah Baah was the acting CEO of GRIDCo. He began this role in February 2025. He has over 28 years of experience in the power industry. This includes work in system dispatch and planning. The Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, announced the leadership changes. He made the announcement via a Facebook post on Sunday, April 26.
The situation underscores the challenges in maintaining a stable electricity grid. Energy Minister John Jinapor is scheduled to hold a press briefing. This briefing is set for 2:00 PM on Monday, April 27. He will provide more details on the Akosombo fire. Updates on the leadership changes at GRIDCo and ECG are also expected. Decisions made following this investigation could affect future investments in Ghana's power infrastructure. Ghanaians will be watching closely for solutions to prevent future outages.