The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has given residents, traders, artisans and commercial drivers operating under high-voltage transmission lines at Ejisu in the Ashanti Region 30 days to vacate the area.
The exercise, being carried out in collaboration with relevant state agencies, aims to prevent encroachment on transmission corridors and reduce safety risks.
The directive follows a recent fuel tanker explosion at Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region, which damaged one of GRIDCo’s transmission towers after parts of the tanker flew into it.
Speaking to the media, GRIDCo’s Director of Land Management, Engineer Bismark Anane, said the incident highlighted the need to keep transmission corridors free from human activities, particularly trading in highly flammable materials.
“The Minister for Energy issued the directive following a recent incident at Ashaiman where a fuel tanker exploded and part of it flew and dented one of the transmission towers. So, to prevent a recurrence of such incidents, a one-month period has been given for occupants living within the Right-of-Way of the transmission lines to vacate voluntarily,” he said.
Mr Anane explained that encroachment threatens lives, compromises transmission infrastructure and obstructs access for maintenance and emergency repairs.
He added that activities near high-voltage lines could cause electrocution, fires and power disruptions.
GRIDCo has clarified that compensation will only be considered for occupants who can provide valid documentation proving their legitimate interest in the land.
Those occupying the area without lawful authority or official documentation will not qualify.
Meanwhile, affected occupants have expressed mixed reactions to the directive. While some are prepared to comply, they are appealing for alternative relocation sites before any eviction or demolition takes place.
Others have accused the Ejisu Municipal Assembly of allowing them to settle and operate in the area for years while collecting tolls and levies. Some also claim they occupied the land before the transmission lines were installed.
The occupants say a forced eviction without alternative arrangements could result in the loss of homes, businesses and livelihoods.
They have therefore appealed to the government to intervene and ensure a humane approach to the exercise.
