In the streets, shops, homes, parks, and even trees of Ghana lurks a latent enemy that is steadily claiming lives month after month.
Electricity, one of the greatest human inventions and a basic need for modern everyday life has also become a silent agent, depriving the country of some of its promising young people through electrocutions.
Throughout 2023, almost every month recorded one or more electrocutions. Degrees of electrical accidents have ranged from burns to cardiac arrest, and mostly death.
These have been due to exposed naked wires, fallen high-tension poles belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana(ECG), and electrical faults in some homes.
Some of the reported electrocutions seem to suggest people have little knowledge of the dangers poor handling of electricity poses and how to handle electric shocks.
In Ghana, many victims of electrocution were declared dead on arrival at hospitals with little or no resuscitative measures. Others endanger themselves in their attempts to save electrocution victims.
As the year comes to an end, a good number of people are expected to pour into public spaces, especially at Christmas and New Year festivities.
The Ghana Report highlights some electrocutions recorded between January and December.
- Man, 33, electrocuted on a football park at Nyankyerenease
Whilst removing canopies from the park to make way for a football match, one accidentally got into contact with a high-tension electricity pole nearby and electrocuted Samuel and one other.
They were rushed to the hospital. However, he unfortunately died whilst the other survived.
- Man electrocuted to death after downpour
In March 2023, a disconnected electrical cable fell into a pool of water after heavy rains and electrocuted a 35-year-old man at Mallam in Accra.
The victim, unaware that the fallen live wires were touching his door, grabbed the knob to open his door and got electrocuted, leading to his death.
- Father and son electrocuted by faulty water heater
In April 2023, a 51-year-old man, Charles Segbezdie-Pongo, and his four-year-old son, Fiifi Sefadzi Segbezdie-Pongo met their untimely death when they were electrocuted in their bathroom at Tema.
This was reportedly caused by a faulty water heater while the two were taking a bath.
- Boy, 6, Electrocuted To Death At Fetteh Kakraba
A 6-year-old boy, identified as Theophilus Eleke Lordgist, was electrocuted after touching an electrified container at Fetteh Kakraba in the Central Region in May.
He was rushed to the St. Gregory Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The container, which belonged to a pastor, Peter Obi, had allegedly electrocuted three persons within a week, but he failed to disconnect the power and check the wiring despite many calls for him to do so.
- 10-Year-Old Boy Electrocuted
A ten-year-old boy identified as Jacob Vijoro was also electrocuted in May while returning home from the farm at Suhum in the Eastern Region.
It was reported that he was transporting firewood from the farm when his leg got entangled in a naked electrical cable.
Jacob’s elder brother, with whom he was walking, tried to save him, but for the quick intervention of bystanders, he too would have died from electrocution.
The residents of the area had repeatedly reported the situation to the ECG but received no feedback.
- Electrician electrocuted at Jachie-Pramso
An electrician identified as Stephen Honu was electrocuted to death at Jachie-Pramso in the Bosomtwe district of the Ashanti Region in June 2023.
Information gathered indicated that he was involved in a rural electrification project in the town.
His lifeless body was discovered beneath an electric pole, still clad in his protective overall suit and holding electrical cables.
- Suspected thief electrocuted in an attempt to steal high-tension cable
A suspected thief was electrocuted after he attempted to climb a transformer to steal high-tension cables at Wirenkyiren Amanfrom in the Eastern Region in July.
In his attempt to steal the cable, the suspect reportedly touched a naked wire which electrocuted him, leading him to fall off the transformer.
He was discovered by some residents plying the bushy road around 1:00 am battling for his life.
The residents immediately alerted the authorities and paramedics. However, due to the delays in arrival, the suspected thief could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene around 6:00 am.
- Man, 28, was electrocuted while cutting a tree
Also in July 2023, a 28-year-old man was electrocuted at Nkwanta near Tepa, in the Ashanti Region to the chagrin of his family members and friends.
Kwabena Talat was said to be felling a tree in a bush when it accidentally fell on an electric pole, which electrocuted him instantly.
- Boy electrocuted during an alleged robbery attempt
A young boy believed to be about 17 years old was electrocuted after he attempted to steal from an electrical shop at Fiapre, in the Sunyani West Municipality of the Bono Region in August 2023.
The young man who was popularly known as Alkaline, was found lying lifeless in the shop when residents woke up.
- 12-Year-Old Boy Electrocuted At Kasoa
Information gathered indicated that the young boy, who was staying with his grandmother during his vacation, unknowingly stepped on a naked electric cable on the ground behind their house, which immediately electrocuted him.
- Two persons were electrocuted whilst attending to nature’s call
In November 2023, two persons were left in critical condition after they were electrocuted by an ECG high-tension pole at Jei-Krodua in the Awutu Senya West District of the Central Region.
Both victims were attending to nature’s call on separate days when the incidents happened.
According to residents, the pole had become a death trap in the vicinity, and all calls to ECG to fix it had gone unanswered.
How to avoid electrocutions this season
The number of electrocutions, particularly those caused by naked wires in public places, is a wake-up call for all, especially during all activities within the period.
In the heat of the enjoyment:
- Look out for fallen electric poles
- Avoid mounting canopies under or near high-tension poles
- Stay away from exposed naked wires at home and public places
- Disconnect or turn off appliances if not in use
- Keep children away from electric sockets
- Never use an electrical appliance while in the bath or shower
- Resist touching an electric shock victim until they are moved from the source of the power flow