Ghana’s grid outdated, vulnerable to voltage losses – energy expert warns

June 13, 2026

• A mason, Kwesi Salifu, died after being trapped in a well during a rescue operation by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) at Asokwa, Abura Dunkwa.
• The incident, occurring on June 10, 2026, is believed to have been caused by inadequate oxygen levels in the confined space.
• A seven-member GNFS team responded to the distress call, but despite their efforts, Mr. Salifu was pronounced dead at the scene.
• His body was subsequently handed over to the Ghana Police Service for preservation and further investigations.
• The GNFS used the tragedy to emphasize the critical need for strict adherence to safety protocols, expert supervision, and proper equipment when working in confined spaces.

June 13, 2026

• World Vision Ghana and the Wa East District Assembly have launched the district's first Children's Parliament to combat child labour, primarily funded by World Vision.
• Child labour in the district is largely driven by rural poverty and illegal small-scale mining (galamsey), prompting World Vision's interventions like boreholes, child protection committees, and an anti-hunger campaign.
• The District Chief Executive commended World Vision's broader development contributions and highlighted government initiatives, including upgrading Loggu SHS and introducing the "One Million Coders" program.
• Key barriers to quality education, identified by the District Director of Education, include poor road networks, infrastructure deficits, inadequate teacher motivation, and lack of accommodation, pushing vulnerable children into hazardous labour.
• Stakeholders, including parents, traditional leaders, and teachers, are urged to collaborate, enforce by-laws, and invest in children's education to protect them from exploitation, with the Children's Parliament empowering youth voices.

June 12, 2026

• Ing Peter Antwi Boasiako argues that a proposed second control centre would not have prevented the recent Akosombo substation fire, attributing the fault to a cable failure outside control room intervention.
• He stated that Ghana's existing power system protections functioned effectively, preventing a nationwide blackout despite the loss of 800-900 megawatts from Akosombo.
• Antwi acknowledged that maintenance lapses, such as overheating due to loose contacts, likely contributed to the incident.
• He criticized claims of sabotage as politically motivated and unhelpful, emphasizing that the issue is a serious engineering matter.
• Antwi disputed recommendations for conventional water sprinklers in control rooms, advocating for gas-based suppression systems and early smoke detection, urging focus on proper engineering solutions.