ECG Schedules Tuesday Power Outages for Ahodwo-Santasi Transmission Line Relocation in Kumasi

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced a scheduled series of power disruptions for specific communities within the Greater Kumasi Metropolis. These planned outages are a necessary step to facilitate the relocation of critical transmission infrastructure along the Ahodwo-Santasi corridor, a project directly tied to a major road development initiative. Starting in February 2026, residents and businesses in the affected zones should anticipate significant, recurring power interruptions every Tuesday until the relocation work is completed. This guide provides a comprehensive, verifiable overview of the schedule, the rationale behind it, the specific areas impacted, and actionable advice for those affected.

Introduction: Balancing Development and Disruption in Kumasi

Urban development often requires temporary sacrifices for long-term gain. In Kumasi, Ghana’s second-largest city, this principle is being put to the test. The dualization of the Ahodwo to Santasi road—a project aimed at easing chronic traffic congestion in the Asokwa and Nhyiaeso areas—clashes with the existing path of high-voltage transmission lines and low-voltage distribution poles. To allow construction to proceed safely and efficiently, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) must first relocate this electrical infrastructure. This necessity triggers a series of planned, weekly power outages for a defined period, beginning on a specific date in 2026. This article breaks down everything residents, business owners, and stakeholders in the affected communities need to know about these scheduled disruptions, from the official announcement to practical steps for mitigation and the broader context of Ghana’s power grid modernization.

Key Points: The Essentials of the ECG Outage Schedule

At a glance, here are the critical facts from the ECG’s official communication regarding the transmission line relocation project:

• Primary Action: Scheduled power outages every Tuesday.
• Start Date: The relocation work is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
• Core Objective: To relocate transmission pylons and low-voltage poles to clear the path for the Ahodwo-Santasi dual carriageway road construction.
• Affected Areas: Santasi Roundabout, Santasi Fidelity Bank area, Ernest Chemist vicinity, TUC, parts of Nhyiaeso, Dakodwom, and surrounding neighborhoods.
• Duration: The ECG has not specified an exact completion date for the relocation works, stating that efforts will be expedited.
• Key Advisory: Affected customers are urged to use power judiciously when supply is available and are explicitly told not to remove or “bolt away” their meters. Meters must remain in place for accurate billing and credit calculations post-outage.

Background: The Ahodwo-Santasi Dualization Project and Grid Constraints

The Traffic Congestion Problem

The Asokwa and Nhyiaeso enclaves of Kumasi have long suffered from severe vehicular congestion. The single-carriageway stretch between Ahodwo and Santasi is a critical but overloaded artery. The government’s solution is the dualization of this road, which involves expanding it into a two-lane highway in each direction. This type of infrastructure project is fundamental to improving urban mobility, reducing travel times, and boosting economic activity in the region.

The Electrical Infrastructure Conflict

Major roadways and high-voltage transmission lines often share corridors for efficiency. However, when a road is widened or realigned, existing electrical infrastructure—such as the tall steel pylons carrying 33kV or 69kV lines and the wooden or concrete poles for distribution—can become an obstruction. For the Ahodwo-Santasi dualization, the current path of these transmission “strains” (lines) and poles lies directly in the planned construction zone. Therefore, before the first shovel of earth is turned for the road, the electrical assets must be moved to a new, safe alignment that does not interfere with the new road’s footprint or future maintenance.

ECG’s Role as the Implementing Agency

As Ghana’s primary power distribution utility, the ECG is responsible for the low-voltage and medium-voltage network that delivers electricity to homes and businesses. While the national grid’s high-voltage transmission is managed by the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), the relocation of the final distribution poles and the associated work on the transmission lines feeding the area fall under ECG’s operational mandate, often in coordination with GRIDCo. This scheduled outage is the controlled method to perform this dangerous relocation work safely, preventing accidental electrocution of workers or public contact with live lines during the movement.

Analysis: The Trade-offs of Infrastructure Progress

Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain

The core trade-off is clear: temporary, scheduled inconvenience for permanent improvements. The weekly Tuesday outages represent a significant short-term burden. For households, this means disruption to routines, refrigeration, entertainment, and study. For businesses—from small shops relying on lights and point-of-sale systems to larger enterprises with machinery—the impact can be financial, involving lost productivity, spoiled inventory, or the cost of running generators. However, the long-term gains are substantial. The completed dual carriageway will reduce traffic congestion, lower vehicle operating costs, decrease pollution from idling traffic, and improve overall quality of life. Furthermore, the relocated transmission lines will be part of a more modern, resilient grid better suited to serve a growing metropolis.

Scheduling and Communication Strategy

ECG’s choice of a specific weekday (Tuesday) for the outages is a standard utility practice. It allows for: 1) Predictability, enabling businesses and residents to plan (e.g., scheduling important tasks for other days, arranging generator fuel), 2) Efficient crew deployment, as teams can be dedicated to this project weekly, and 3) Minimizing broad economic disruption compared to rotating or random outages. The advance notice (published in February 2026 for a February 2026 start) is crucial, though the lack of a firm end date introduces uncertainty. Effective communication through channels like “Life Pulse Daily” and ECG’s own platforms is a key part of managing public expectations and reducing frustration.

The Critical Meter Directive

ECG’s explicit instruction not to “bolt away” with meters is a vital operational and legal point. Meters are the property of ECG and are the calibrated point of measurement for billing. Removing a meter is illegal under the ECG’s conditions of supply and can be considered meter tampering or theft. It disrupts the utility’s ability to:

• Accurately estimate consumption during the outage period using pre- and post-outage readings.
• Apply appropriate credits or adjustments for the forced outage.
• Reconnect service seamlessly once the work is done. A missing meter triggers a reconnection process that may involve fees and investigations, causing further delay for the customer.

Practical Advice: How to Prepare and Cope

For those in the affected zones, proactive planning is the best defense against the disruption. Here is a structured preparedness plan:

Immediate Pre-Outage Checklist (Before Tuesday)

1. Confirm Your Status: Verify you are indeed in one of the listed affected communities (Santasi Roundabout, etc.). Contact ECG customer service if unsure.
2. Charge All Devices: Fully charge mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and portable power banks on Monday and early Tuesday.
3. Prepare Lighting: Ensure you have working battery-powered lamps, flashlights, or candles (used with extreme caution). Check battery stocks.
4. Refrigerator/Freezer Management: Set refrigerators and freezers to the coldest setting on Monday. Keep doors closed during the outage. A full freezer stays cold longer; if not full, freeze containers of water to help maintain temperature.
5. Generator Readiness: If you own a generator, service it beforehand. Ensure you have adequate, safely stored fuel. Never operate a generator indoors or in enclosed spaces due to carbon monoxide poisoning risk.
6. Water Storage: If your water pump is electric, store enough water for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene.
7. Secure Your Meter: Re-read ECG’s directive. Your meter must remain installed and accessible.

During the Outage (Tuesday)

1. Conserve Generator Fuel: Use generators only for essential appliances (fridge, lights, medical devices). Avoid running them unnecessarily.
2. Unplug Sensitive Electronics: To protect from potential power surges when electricity returns, unplug computers, TVs, and other sensitive devices.
3. Stay Informed: Monitor ECG’s social media pages or local radio for any updates or extensions to the outage.
4. Practice Safety: Be cautious of downed power lines or exposed cables around construction sites. Report any hazards to ECG or emergency services.

Post-Outage Actions

1. Wait Before Reconnecting: When power returns, wait 5-10 minutes before turning on major appliances to avoid overwhelming the system.
2. Check Your Meter: Ensure your meter is intact and functioning. Note the reading.
3. Document Issues: If your power does not return after the scheduled work window, or if you experience prolonged outages beyond Tuesday, document the time and contact ECG immediately with your account number and location.
4. Billing Inquiries: If your next bill does not reflect a credit for the forced outage, contact ECG customer service with your outage dates and meter readings to request an adjustment.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the Kumasi Outages

1. Will the outage affect the entire Kumasi metropolis?

No. The outage is targeted and will only affect specific communities along the Ahodwo-Santasi stretch, primarily Santasi Roundabout, areas around Santasi Fidelity Bank and Ernest Chemist, TUC, parts of Nhyiaeso, and Dakodwom. Other suburbs of Kumasi will not be affected by this specific scheduled outage.

2. How long will the power be out each Tuesday?

The ECG announcement does not specify the exact duration of each Tuesday’s outage. It will last for the duration of the relocation work on that section of line, which could be several hours. Residents should prepare for a full-day disruption (e.g., from early morning until late afternoon) as a worst-case scenario. Updates on duration may be provided weekly.

3. When will the outages permanently stop?

The ECG did not provide a project completion date. The outages will continue every Tuesday until the entire transmission line relocation along the Ahodwo-Santasi corridor is finished. The company stated that works will be “expedited,” but the timeline depends on the complexity of the relocation, weather, and resource availability. Residents should expect this schedule to continue for several weeks or months.

4. Will I get a credit on my electricity bill for these forced outages?

Yes, it is standard practice for utilities to provide billing adjustments for planned, notified outages caused by infrastructure projects. Since your meter will remain in place, ECG can calculate the period of no supply and apply a credit or adjust your bill to exclude consumption during the forced outage hours. Ensure your meter is not tampered with to facilitate this process.

5. What if my business suffers a major financial loss due to the outage?

While the outage is legally a planned event with notification, claiming direct financial losses from a utility for such infrastructure-related work is complex and typically not covered by standard compensation schemes. This is considered a public benefit project. Your primary recourse is proper preparation (e.g., generator use) and seeking billing credits. Consulting a legal expert on specific contractual or commercial losses is advisable for significant claims.

6. Can ECG extend the outage beyond Tuesday if work isn’t finished?

The schedule specifies Tuesdays. It is unlikely the outage would spill into other days without new, separate communication, as that would disrupt the planned weekly work cycle and public trust. However, unforeseen complications could theoretically delay completion, prolonging the Tuesday schedule itself. Any change to the day or expansion of affected areas would likely be announced anew.

7. Who should I contact for more information or to report a problem?

For verified information, monitor official ECG Ghana communications via their website (ecggh.com), verified social media handles (e.g., @ECGGhana on Twitter/Facebook), and reputable news outlets like Life Pulse Daily. For service issues, meter problems, or billing questions, use ECG’s official customer service phone lines and provide your account number and specific location.

Conclusion: A Temporary Setback for a Modern Kumasi

The scheduled Tuesday power outages in parts of Kumasi are an unavoidable consequence of a necessary urban upgrade. The relocation of transmission lines is the essential first phase in building the Ahodwo-Santasi dual carriageway, a project that promises lasting benefits for traffic flow, commerce, and livability in the Asokwa and Nhyiaeso regions. While the disruption will be felt deeply by residents and businesses in Santasi, Nhyiaeso, and surrounding communities, it is a finite period of inconvenience for a permanent improvement. The key for affected parties lies in heeding ECG’s instructions—particularly regarding meter integrity—and implementing robust personal and business preparedness plans. By understanding the “why” behind the outages and planning accordingly, the community can navigate this temporary challenge while contributing to the shared goal of a more developed and efficient Kumasi. The final, smoother road and a more robust, safely-routed power grid will be the lasting legacy of this temporary Tuesday disruption.