The Board of Directors of the Ghana Grid Company LTD. (GRIDCo) has paid a courtesy call on the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Alban Bagbin, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and deepen stakeholder engagement within Ghana’s energy sector.
Speaking on behalf of the Board, Hon. Solomon Kuyon noted that the visit, coming nine months after the Board’s assumption of office, was an opportunity to formally introduce the team formally to the Speaker and reaffirm their commitment to GRIDCo’s mandate.
Chief Executive (CE), Ing. Frank Otchere, highlighted GRIDCo’s critical role as Ghana’s independent transmission utility, responsible for operating the National Interconnected Transmission System (NITS). He explained that the Company, established as part of sector reforms and incorporated as a limited liability entity in 2008, transports bulk electricity generated by the Volta River Authority (VRA) and other IPPs to distribution companies such as, ECG and NEDCo, as well as major industrial and bulk customers.
Ing. Otchere noted that GRIDCo has, for over a decade, maintained its position as the best transmission utility in West Africa and ranks among the top five in Africa. He expressed appreciation to Parliament for its continued support and provided updates on key operational matters, including the recent fire incident at the Akosombo facility. He assured the Speaker that the situation had been contained with support from the Ghana National Fire Service and VRA, with the switchyard remaining intact. The CE, Ing. Otchere stated, “Plans are far advanced for the redesign for the control room at the Akosombo switchyard – we are taking advantage of this to build a state-of-the-art control room for Akosombo, and we soon hope to restore the situation to the status quo.”
CE Otchere, took the opportunity to highlight some of the challenges GRIDCo faces in its operations, notably the impact of illegal artisanal mining (galamsey) and unauthorised timber felling activities, known as illegal chainsaw which, threaten transmission infrastructure in forested areas, where some of GRIDCo’s lines traverse.
Board Chair, Kuukua Maurice Ankrah, expressed gratitude to the Speaker for the audience granted, emphasising the Board’s diverse expertise. She indicated that the Board’s work is aimed at supporting good and effective governance. She highlighted the resilience and professionalism of GRIDCo’s technical team, particularly in responding to the fire incident at Akosombo. She also commented on being the only female Chair of Board of Directors in the Energy Sector, explaining that she has the support of her colleague Board members to ensure GRIDCo delivers on its mandate.
The Chairlady expressed optimism about the Company’s future performance saying, “Rt. Hon., I hope you will hear more about us in a positive way in the coming days and years.”
In his remarks, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin welcomed the delegation and reflected on his longstanding involvement in energy sector reforms from when he was a chairman of the energy committee in parliament. The Speaker reiterated his role in advancing the separation of generation, transmission, and distribution functions. Speaker Bagbin commended GRIDCo’s work commenting, “You have a huge task. You must convince us to – satisfy the use of the resource around us; demonstrate prudent use of resources. You will need to sensitise and educate the consumers.” By so doing, he urged GRIDCo to continuously demonstrate value for money in its operations.
The Speaker added that intensified public education can address issues relating to commercial losses and encouraged greater collaboration to tackle threats such as, galamsey and illegal logging. On underscoring the importance of gender inclusion in leadership, Speaker Bagbin indicated that he is advocating for increased representation of women saying, “We need to do better to bring in more women into the leadership of the energy sector, as they will help us to create more opportunities. That is why I am pushing the Affirmative Action and Equity Bill.”
On financing, he advised GRIDCo to explore innovative funding options, including leveraging its assets to attract investment, noting that reliance on government funding alone can be uncertain. He also highlighted opportunities in renewable energy, including ongoing discussions on solar power initiatives.
The engagement, held on Tuesday 26th May, 2026, concluded on a positive note, with the GRIDCo Board expressing appreciation for the insightful discussions, which they described as both enriching and forward-looking. Spokesperson for the Board, Hon. Kuyon described it, as “Being taken on a marathon of history.”
Other Board Members at the Speaker’s engagement were, Mr. Muhammed Bashiru Nii Narh Alema; Nana Amoasi VII (a.k.a. Mr. Joshua Anaman Sackey), Chief of Ekumfi Abor; Mr. Daniel Atchulo; Mr. Kwasi Kyei Frimpong; Hon. Joseph Kwame Kumah; Company Secretary, Mrs. Ama Haywood-Dadzie and Ms. Emily Wilson-Sowah of the Board Secretariat.
