Kumasi Nhyiaesohene backs ECG crackdown on illegal electricity infrastructure encroachment

The Kumasi Nhyiaesohene, Nana Osei Yaw Frimpong II, has thrown his weight behind the Electricity Company of Ghana's efforts to combat illegal encroachment on utility corridors and power infrastructure within his traditional area. The pledge, made during a courtesy visit to ECG's Ashanti West Regional office in Kumasi, signals a strategic partnership between traditional authorities and the utility company to safeguard critical electricity infrastructure and improve service delivery across the region.

Nana Frimpong committed the traditional authority to collaborate with ECG in preserving lands designated for electricity installation and maintenance, whilst encouraging residents to respect the company's right of way. He emphasised that illegal structures and unauthorised activities around electricity lines and transformers pose serious public safety risks and undermine the company's operational efficiency.

The growing infrastructure challenge in Kumasi

Encroachment on ECG's utility corridors has emerged as a significant obstacle to maintaining reliable power supply in Greater Kumasi. According to ECG's Ashanti West Regional General Manager, George Amoah, developers have increasingly constructed buildings within reserved electricity infrastructure zones, later demanding costly relocations of utility facilities. This practice strains ECG's resources and delays infrastructure upgrades needed to meet rising demand.

The pressure on electricity networks in Kumasi is intensifying, particularly in commercial and residential hotspots including Ridge, Danyame, Ahodwo, and the Adum Central Business District. High-rise construction and expanding commercial activities are pushing existing power transformers to their limits. In response, ECG has begun upgrading infrastructure: transformers at the Ridge Bulk Supply Point have been enhanced, whilst two new 500kVA transformers are being installed in Adum to boost capacity.

Why it matters for Ghana

This collaboration between traditional authorities and ECG represents a practical model for resolving infrastructure protection challenges that plague Ghana's electricity sector nationwide. Illegal encroachment on utility corridors is not unique to Kumasi; it occurs across the country and impedes ECG's ability to expand and maintain networks efficiently. By engaging traditional rulers—who command community respect and enforce local norms—ECG gains a powerful ally in protecting critical infrastructure.

The partnership also addresses electricity theft and non-payment, persistent issues affecting ECG's financial health and investment capacity. The Nhyiaesohene's appeal to residents to pay bills promptly and cease illegal connections underscores the interconnection between community responsibility and service quality. When fewer resources leak away through theft and non-payment, ECG can invest more in infrastructure upgrades that benefit entire regions.

For Ghana's broader development agenda, reliable electricity is foundational. Businesses require stable power to remain competitive; hospitals and schools depend on consistent supply; households need electricity for basic amenities. Kumasi, as Ghana's second-largest city and a commercial hub, cannot afford prolonged outages or degraded infrastructure. The Nhyiaesohene's commitment helps create the enabling environment for ECG to deliver.

Path forward

The Nhyiaesohene has assured ECG that his office will liaise with the company whenever encroachment occurs and will enforce traditional authority backing for the company's right-of-way protections. ECG, in turn, has committed to continued partnership with traditional authorities and other stakeholders. Mr. Amoah noted that the Nhyiaeso traditional area's location at the heart of Kumasi makes this collaboration particularly strategic.

For residents, the message is clear: electricity infrastructure is communal infrastructure. Respecting it, paying bills, and rejecting illegal connections are responsibilities that benefit everyone through improved reliability and service expansion.