Ejisu Plunged into Darkness After Snake Causes Power Outage
Kwaso, Ejisu, Ashanti Region - 13 June, 2025 - A sudden power outage plunged parts of the Ashanti Region into darkness on June 11, 2025, after a snake slithered into the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) substation at Kwaso in the Ejisu municipality.
The reptile's unwelcome visit caused a short circuit between the feeder and the ground, triggering an automatic shutdown of the Akyawkrom 2 feeder line.
According to Collins Manu, ECG's Ashanti Sub-Transmission Public Relations Officer, the incident highlights a recurring problem of animals interfering with power infrastructure. "Wildlife, especially snakes and birds, continue to pose real threats to grid reliability," Manu said, adding that ECG is taking proactive measures to prevent such incidents.
The state-power distributor has invested in snake guards, sealed cable entry points, cleared vegetation, and improved drainage to prevent animal access to substations.
The General Manager of Ashanti Sub-Transmission, Ing. Peter K. Fletcher, highlighted the value of public cooperation, noting that timely reports from the public can aid in preventing power outages.
''We encourage the public to report any unusual activity near power facilities," he said.
ECG officials acknowledge that wildlife intrusion remains a non-technical risk to grid stability and is expanding efforts to reduce such incidents. Despite the disruption, ECG's emergency team restored power shortly after the incident, minimizing the impact on residents.
Source: Lead News Online
