Ing. Frank Asirifi Otchere Appointed CEO of Ghana’s GRIDCo
On May 8 2026, the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) announced the appointment of Eng. Frank Asirifi Otchere as its new Chief Executive Officer. The decision, communicated in an internal circular signed by outgoing CEO Kuukua Maurice Ankrah, takes effect immediately and marks a pivotal moment for the nation’s electricity transmission infrastructure.
Leadership Changes at GRIDCo
Alongside Otchere’s promotion, the circular confirmed Eng. Samuel Nkansah as Deputy Chief Executive Officer overseeing Finance and Resources. Eng. Samed Abdul Ibrahim, presently Director of the Project Implementation Unit, will serve as Acting Deputy General Manager for Engineering and Operations. GRIDCo has urged all staff to extend the necessary cooperation and support to the incoming leadership team as they assume their responsibilities.
Professional Background and Experience
Eng. Otchere brings more than 28 years of continuous service within the Volta River Authority (VRA)‑GRIDCo ecosystem. His career began in system operations, where he developed deep expertise in power‑system planning, real‑time monitoring, and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) technologies.
Prior to his CEO appointment, he served as Deputy Chairman of the GRIDCo Board from March 2025, a role that gave him strategic oversight of corporate governance and long‑term investment decisions. His hands‑on experience includes:
- Director of System Operations – managing daily grid stability and coordinating generation dispatch.
- Chair of the Power Planning Technical Committee – leading the Ministry of Energy‑mandated body that crafts Ghana’s short‑, medium‑, and long‑term electricity supply plans.
- Chair of the Ghana‑Côte d’Ivoire Link Technical Committee and the Ghana‑Burkina Link Technical Committee – guiding cross‑border interconnection projects vital for regional power trade.
- Chair of the GRIDCo Operating Procedures Review Committee – ensuring that operational manuals reflect international best practices and local regulatory requirements.
During the 2012‑2015 energy crisis, Otchere contributed to the Load Management Committee established by the then Energy Minister, helping design and implement the load‑shedding programme that mitigated nationwide blackouts.
Education and Professional Credentials
Eng. Otchere holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He furthered his studies with a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
He is a registered Professional Engineer with the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), a designation that validates his technical competence and adherence to the profession’s ethical standards.
Community Engagement and Personal Life
Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Eng. Otchere serves as pastor of the Anointed Matrix Church, part of the United Denominations of the Lighthouse Group of Churches. He is married and father to four children, balancing his leadership duties with active participation in faith‑based community outreach.
Context and Significance of the Appointment
The leadership transition follows the resignation of Eng. Mark Awuah, who stepped down after a fire damaged the switchgear at the Akosombo substation in the Eastern Region. The incident severed the 1,020 MW Akosombo Power Plant from the national grid, triggering widespread power outages across Ghana. Otchere’s extensive background in system operations and crisis‑management positions him to steer GRIDCo through recovery efforts while reinforcing grid resilience.
Industry observers note that his dual focus on technical rigor and public‑administration training equips him to align GRIDCo’s operational goals with national energy policy, particularly the government’s agenda for expanding renewable integration and enhancing cross‑border electricity trade.
Conclusion
Ing. Frank Asirifi Otchere’s appointment as CEO of GRIDCo represents a continuation of experienced leadership within Ghana’s electricity transmission sector. His proven track record in power‑system operations, strategic planning, and stakeholder collaboration, combined with his academic qualifications and community involvement, provides a solid foundation for guiding GRIDCo toward improved reliability, efficiency, and service delivery for all Ghanaian consumers.
