The Electricity Company of Ghana has launched an intensified tree pruning and right-of-way clearing exercise across the Ashanti Region to minimise power disruptions caused by overgrown vegetation ahead of the rainy season.
Speaking during an inter-regional operations meeting in Kumasi on Friday, May 22, 2026, Ashanti Sub-Transmission General Manager Kofi Apau Ohenese said tree branches and vegetation encroaching on power lines remain major causes of feeder trips, voltage fluctuations and equipment damage during storms and heavy rainfall.
He noted that although government is investing in improving ECG infrastructure, vegetation management remains critical to ensuring stable electricity supply in the region.
To speed up maintenance works, ECG has begun settling arrears owed to contractors responsible for vegetation control and tree cutting.
The company has engaged six contractors to undertake clearing works along major transmission corridors, including routes from Akyawkrom to Kuntenase and Bekwai, Anwomaso to Akyease, and Akyawkrom through Effiduase to Kumawu.
According to James M. Yevunya, about 75 percent of the project has already been completed, with full completion targeted before the end of June.
He stated that the primary objective of the exercise is to improve power supply reliability and enhance public safety by eliminating vegetation-related power interruptions.
ECG has also introduced the use of technology in the operation through its Network Management System App, which supports real-time patrols and inspections of transmission lines.
The company is additionally engaging local communities to discourage the planting of tall trees beneath power lines and within transmission buffer zones.
Industrial consumers have welcomed the initiative, with an engineer from UNICEM Cement Ghana Limited noting that unstable voltage levels in the Bekwai area have occasionally disrupted factory operations.
ECG believes the programme will significantly reduce vegetation-related faults, improve voltage stability and cut down emergency maintenance costs across the network.
Source: 3news
