James Gunu hosts ECG, GRIDCo delegation as major power upgrade is announced for Volta
The Volta Regional Minister Hon. James Gunu has hosted a delegation from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) in Ho, where the power agencies outlined a major intervention to tackle persistent low voltage and outages in the Volta Region and parts of Oti. The meeting followed earlier pressure by the minister on both institutions to provide clear explanations and lasting solutions to the region’s electricity challenges.
The delegation was led by ECG’s Acting Managing Director, Ing. Kwame Kpekpena, while GRIDCo was represented by Ing. Frank A. Otchere, Acting Deputy Chief Executive.
The ECG boss, Ing. Kwame Kpekpena, announced the key breakthrough at the meeting. He said government had released funds for the first phase of a major transmission upgrade project to improve electricity supply in the Volta Region. According to him, the project will upgrade the transmission line from Asiekpe to Ho from 69kV to 161kV, construct a new transmission line of about 45 kilometres, and establish a new Bulk Supply Point (BSP) in Ho. He said the intervention is expected to significantly improve voltage stability in the region once Ho is moved from the old 69kV network onto the 161kV system.
Ing. Kpekpena explained that the power challenges facing the Volta Region stem largely from an aging transmission network built in the 1980s, which has not kept pace with rising demand. He noted that while most parts of Ghana are served at 161kV, the Volta Region still largely depends on a 69kV system, contributing to low voltage and frequent tripping, especially during peak evening hours. He said ECG and GRIDCo had already introduced temporary measures earlier in the year to reduce pressure on the network, but stressed that a more durable technical solution had become necessary.
He further indicated that the first phase of the project is expected to take about one year after contract signing, although discussions are ongoing on interim arrangements, including the possible installation of a temporary substation, to bring faster relief to affected communities. He appealed to the Volta Regional Minister and local stakeholders to support the process through land acquisition, right-of-way access, compensation and community engagement, warning that delays in those areas could slow implementation.
Speaking on behalf of GRIDCo management and its board, Ing. Frank A. Otchere said the company was fully committed to resolving the problem. He noted that the existing network had served the region since the 1980s, but growing economic activity now required expansion and reinforcement. He said technical teams had already walked the route from Asiekpe to Ho, with design works underway and the Ministry of Energy actively supporting the process. According to him, a project of that scale would normally take more than two years, but the agencies had restructured it for completion within one year.
In his response, Hon. James Gunu welcomed the announcement and said stable electricity supply was critical to the Volta Region’s development agenda. He pointed to the region’s growing attractiveness to investors, especially in agro-processing, as well as planned initiatives such as the Volta Economic Corridor and an industrial park, all of which depend heavily on reliable power.
He pledged the support of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, municipal and district assemblies, and traditional authorities to help ensure the project is delivered quickly for the benefit of both Volta and Oti.
The meeting is seen as a concrete outcome of the minister’s sustained intervention in the region’s power crisis. In April 2025, Hon. Gunu publicly demanded urgent action from ECG and GRIDCo over the prolonged outages and low voltage affecting homes and businesses, and later followed up with visits to both ECG in Ho and GRIDCo in Akosombo. The latest engagement in Ho now signals a clearer, government-backed roadmap toward a long-term solution.
