ECG Restores Power to Afram Plains After Submarine Cable Fault
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) announced that electricity supply has been fully restored to the Afram Plains region following a significant outage caused by damage to a submarine cable in the Afram River. The fault was detected in the early hours of Monday and initially disrupted power to the entire Donkorkrom district.
Identifying the Fault
According to Dr. Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, ECG’s General Manager for External Communications, the damaged section lay approximately 400 metres beneath the river’s surface. An immediate assessment by the Eastern Regional Maintenance Team revealed a serious flaw that prevented electricity transmission across the waterway.
To locate the precise point of failure, ECG deployed a specialised cable‑testing van from Accra. The vehicle began its survey on Tuesday, but progress was briefly halted on Wednesday when the van became stuck in a swampy stretch of the riverbank while tracing the fault line.
Community‑Led Recovery Effort
Local leadership played a pivotal role in overcoming the logistical challenge. Afram Plains South District Captain Moses Tangbe coordinated the safe extraction of the test vehicle and facilitated communication between ECG crews and residents.
With the testing van back on solid ground, engineers adopted an innovative, low‑tech approach. Two boats, accompanied by community divers familiar with the river’s currents, were used to lift sections of the submerged cable. The team carefully maneuvered the vessels until the damaged segment was identified.
Because no dedicated submarine‑cable spares were available on site, the repair crew improvised using standard insulated connectors. A temporary wooden wharf was constructed to keep the repaired portion elevated above the riverbed, reducing the risk of future water‑induced damage.
Restoration and Acknowledgments
After several hours of meticulous work, power was reinstated to the Afram Plains. Dr. Ayiku highlighted that the combined expertise of ECG’s Eastern Regional Management and Maintenance Team, the Accra Sub‑Transmission Cable Test Van Team, the Donkorkrom District crew, and the residents of Ekye Amanfrom and Adawso was essential to averting a prolonged outage.
ECG issued a statement thanking all stakeholders and apologising to customers for any inconvenience experienced during the interruption. The company reiterated its commitment to maintaining reliable service and investing in infrastructure resilience, particularly in geographically challenging areas.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Fault location: ~400 m beneath the Afram River
- Initial outage: Early Monday, affecting Donkorkrom district
- Response teams: Eastern Regional Maintenance Team, Accra Cable‑Test Van, local district leadership, community divers
- Repair method: Boat‑assisted cable lifting, standard connector splice, temporary wharf construction
- Outcome: Full power restoration achieved after coordinated efforts
The incident underscores the importance of adaptive problem‑solving and community partnership in maintaining essential utilities across Ghana’s diverse terrain.
