The power outage in Obuasi has become a serious concern, frustrating residents and crippling local businesses. Despite earlier assurances of improved power stability, the town continues to experience irregular electricity supply that disrupts daily life and economic activity.
Power cuts often occur without prior notice, and when electricity is finally restored, it remains on for only a few minutes or hours before going off again. This has left the community in distress and the local economy under serious threat.
The Fire Incident That Made Things Worse
The power outage in Obuasi worsened after a fire incident on Wednesday, May 21, at the GRIDCo substation. This damaged the bulk supply point (BSP) that distributes electricity to Obuasi and nearby districts.
According to Benjamin Owusu Antwi, PRO for ECG Ashanti West Unit, the BSP plays a critical role in transferring power from GRIDCo to ECG for distribution. Once it’s compromised, ECG cannot deliver power to customers. Engineers from both GRIDCo and ECG are currently working to assess the damage and begin restoration.
Economic Impact of the Obuasi Power Crisis
The situation is not just inconvenient. It is economically devastating. One prominent Obuasi businessman who deals in perishable goods shared his story with PN Media. He has already lost close to GHS 300,000 and warned that if things don’t change soon, he will lay off 25 workers by the end of June.
Conflicting Messages from ECG
On March 25, 2025, ECG announced with excitement the commissioning of the upgraded Obuasi BSP, featuring two 20 MVA transformers and modern switching panels. This upgrade was supposed to bring stable power to Obuasi and surrounding communities. However, barely three months later, the reality doesn’t match the promise.
On June 15, 2025, ECG posted a notice citing a fault at GRIDCo’s substation as the cause of the ongoing power cut. Affected areas include Obuasi Township, Obuasi Zongo, Adansi Asokwa, New Edubiase and nearby areas. Despite assurances, no consistent power supply has been restored, making residents question whether the issue is technical or politically motivated.
Lack of Backup Energy Solutions
Many residents and business owners in Obuasi do not use alternative energy sources like solar panels, either due to financial constraints or a lack of awareness. This makes the power outage in Obuasi even harder to deal with.
In today’s world, having backup power solutions can reduce reliance on the national grid. Unfortunately, this remains a luxury for many in Obuasi.
A Call for Urgent Government Intervention
The people of Obuasi are pleading with the government to intervene and ensure that ECG and GRIDCo resolve the issue immediately. Reliable electricity is essential not just for convenience but also to boost business productivity, prevent job losses, protect electrical appliances from damage, and strengthen the local economy.
In 2025, regular power cuts should be a thing of the past, not a daily struggle.
Conclusion
The ongoing power outage in Obuasi is more than just a technical issue. It is a social and economic crisis. While ECG and GRIDCo work to fix the fault, the people of Obuasi continue to hope for real, lasting change. Until then, the town remains in darkness and uncertainty.
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