Back to Latest Briefings
June 12, 2026
AI-Enhanced
Second control centre would not have prevented Akosombo fire – former TVET deputy director
Money
Policy
Key Points
- 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.
Why This Matters
This analysis is significant for Ghana as it challenges official recommendations regarding critical power infrastructure, highlighting the importance of accurate technical diagnosis for energy security. Implementing effective, engineering-driven solutions for power transmission and fire safety is crucial to prevent future outages, ensure grid stability, and avoid misdirected public investments that could waste scarce resources.
Read Full Article
View original sourceRelated Articles
July 28, 2026
Kandau murder suspect Abu Tijani dies after arrest, Police Professional Standards Bureau launches investigation
- A key suspect, Abu Tijani (alias Master One), in the murder of two youth in Kandau, Upper West Region, died hours after his arrest on July 25, 2026.
- Tijani, who had been on the wanted list since May 2026, admitted involvement in the November 2025 killings during interrogation.
- He led police to an initial burial site and claimed the bodies were exhumed and moved across the Black Volta River into Burkina Faso by him and accomplices.
- The suspect complained of a severe headache while being escorted, was taken to the SDA Hospital in Wa, and pronounced dead hours later.
- The Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) is investigating the circumstances of his death, and the Regional Police Command has engaged community leaders to appeal for calm and assure transparency.
July 28, 2026
EOCO witness insists GHc49.1m in NSB case came from state account
- An EOCO investigator testified in the GH¢49.1 million National Signals Bureau (NSB) trial that the account from which the funds were transferred was a state account.
- The defence counsel challenged this assertion, arguing that the 'Coordinator’s Account-NSC' was not a public account.
- The investigator, Frank Marshall Cromwell, maintained that the account was indeed a state account, opened for the operational activities of the Bureau of National Communications (NSB's predecessor).
- The prosecution alleges that the GH¢49.1 million, intended for a cyber defence system, was unlawfully diverted through a series of transactions involving private accounts.
- The trial's cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness has been extensively prolonged, with the defence counsel indicating he is only 60% complete after six weeks.
July 28, 2026
What temerity do you have to claim Ato Forson is not raising enough revenue? – Issah challenges Minority
- Sagnarigu MP Atta Issah defended Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson against Minority claims of insufficient revenue mobilization and inadequate spending.
- Issah presented official budget figures comparing revenue performance, showing the current administration's 2025 shortfall (GH¢3.46 billion) was smaller than the NPP's 2017-2019 shortfalls.
- He also compared expenditure execution rates, stating the current administration's 94.4% in 2025 was comparable to the NPP's rates (94.5%-96.5%) from 2017-2019.
- The MP cited IMF assessments describing the previous administration's 2017 revenue as "moderate" and expenditure as "restrained," with an overall "amber" rating.
- Atta Issah heavily criticized the Akufo-Addo administration's borrowing record, claiming it accumulated unprecedented national debt and insisted the current economy is on a path of recovery.