A team from GRIDCo, led by the Manager, Security & Right-of-Way (RoW) Section, along with a representative from Corporate Communications, held a series of stakeholder engagements in Sunyani with Bono Regional Authorities and Heads of the Security Services. The goal was to solicit support ahead of planned relocation efforts for the Wednesday Market, and Magazine (vehicle workshop), both of which sit directly beneath the 161kV Sunyani-Techiman transmission lines.

Separate meetings were held with the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), the Acting Regional Coordinating Director, the Regional Police Commander, the Regional Fire Service Commander, and the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Army. The stakeholders pledged their full support for the relocation exercise, recognising the danger posed to life and property by the encroachments.

The team’s first visit was to the Sunyani Municipal Assembly, where they were received by Mr. Vincent Antwi Agyei, the MCE, and Mr. Ebenezer Yeboah, the Acting Regional Coordinating Director. Major Lawrence Appiah (Rtd.), Manager of Security & RoW, conveyed the compliments of GRIDCo’s Acting Chief Executive and outlined three key reasons for relocating the Market and workshop:

a) To prevent danger to lives and property in the event of an explosion or snapped conductor.

b) To ensure unrestricted access for maintenance, thereby enhancing transmission reliability and supporting regional socio-economic development.

c) To avoid reputational risks with development partners who may withdraw support due to the hazardous nature of encroachments.

The MCE and his team agreed and pledged to identify a new site for relocation. They also committed to inspecting the affected areas for firsthand understanding.

At the Regional Police Command, DCOP Yao Tetegah warmly welcomed the GRIDCo team and assured them of full police protection during the stakeholder engagement and relocation exercises.

At the Ghana National Fire Service, GRIDCo requested a fire simulation exercise at the Sunyani Substation. The Regional Fire Officer, Mr. Cecil Jones, welcomed the idea, citing those activities under the transmission lines, block access routes for emergency response. He noted that the exercise would serve as a wake-up call for the market occupants and as timely training for newly recruited fire officers.

The team also received a warm welcome from Lt. Col. Michael Naah, Commanding Officer of the 3rd Infantry Battalion, who pledged standby military support in case of any resistance during the operation.

In collaboration with the Corporate Communications Section, GRIDCo’s stakeholder engagements officially begun at the Wednesday Market on Wednesday, 16th July 2025, and are scheduled to continue weekly until Wednesday, 30th July 2025. Demolition of the encroachments will follow in consultation with Regional and Service Heads.

Major (Rtd.) Lawrence Appiah led GRIDCo’s team comprising; Lt. Commander Abel Ekow Yankey, Security Assistant; Ex Staff Warrant Officer (Rtd.) Isaac Aggrey-Dzimah Isaac, Security supervisor; Ex Master Warrant Officer Ramanu Yakubu Dzanta, Supervisor, Security & RoW Section; Ms. Esther Afrane, Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Security & RoW and Ms. Joana Ohui Tetteh, Principal Public Relations Officer.