The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has scheduled planned and emergency maintenance exercises across the Ashanti and Western Regions for Friday, May 15, 2026, as engineers continue to battle multiple technical challenges and a punctured underground cable that plunged several Accra West communities into darkness on Thursday.

According to advisories issued by the power distributor, the outages will commence at 9:00 am across affected areas, with durations varying depending on the scope of works to be carried out at each location.

In the Ashanti Region, a planned maintenance operation will run from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, affecting a sweeping list of communities including Edwenase, Kwadaso, Nwamase, Apire, Ampatia, Bebu, Dako, Adumasa, Ampabame No.1 and 2, Mpatasie, Trede, Sabin Akrofrom, Takyiman, Denkyembouso, Ohuwmasi, Hill Top, parts of Asouyeboa, parts of Tanoso, Yabi, Merewadwa, Kokode, Aburaso, Kromoase, Akyeremade, Chichibon, Gyekye, Dida, Odeneho Kwadaso, OWASS, parts of Kwadaso, Agric Amanfrom, Santasi, Fankyenebra, Apemanim, Boko, Twedie, Foase, Manso Nkwanta, Antoakrom, Nweneso, Manso Adubia, and surrounding areas.

In the Western Region, a planned maintenance operation will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, affecting Fiji Articulator Park and surrounding areas. Additionally, an emergency maintenance exercise will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, affecting Aboso township, Damang, Fante Mines, Bogoso Junction, New Site, Budo City, and surrounding areas.

Technical faults hit Accra West

These scheduled interventions come as the ECG continues to manage the aftermath of multiple technical faults in the Accra West Region on Thursday, May 14, 2026.

A technical challenge at Pentecost Junction disrupted power to Borkorborkor, Numbotse, Afuaman, Manhean, Mallam Issah, and surrounding areas. Engineers were deployed to rectify the fault and restore the supply.

Separately, a punctured underground cable at Mango Lane caused outages affecting Weija Junction, Menskrom, Jayee University, Regent University, Mango Lane, and surrounding areas. Both institutions of higher learning experienced disruption as a result.

In its public notices, the ECG extended its apologies to all affected customers, acknowledging the inconvenience caused by both the scheduled maintenance and the unplanned technical faults. 

The company reassured the public that engineers are working diligently to resolve all network issues while emphasising that the planned exercises are necessary to ensure the long-term robustness of the power network across the regions.

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The Member of Parliament for Akuapim North, Sammi Awuku, has called on President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of Energy and Green Transition to urgently address the recurring power supply challenges, warning that the situation is affecting students preparing for critical national examinations.

In a Facebook post on Monday, April 27, the MP expressed concern over the intermittent electricity supply, which he said is disrupting learning and creating anxiety among students sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and those preparing for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

“We’re all experiencing it again, this on-and-off power situation and honestly, it’s becoming quite worrying,” he wrote.

According to him, the unstable power supply is undermining students’ ability to concentrate on revision, especially during a period he described as “a very critical period” in their academic journey. He stressed that while examinations would proceed regardless of circumstances, learners needed a stable environment to prepare effectively.

“At the very least, let’s ensure our students are given a fair and stable environment to prepare for and write their exams,” he stated, adding a direct appeal to the government: “Please ACT Now!”

Mr Awuku further noted that beyond students, businesses, young entrepreneurs, and small-scale workers are also feeling the impact of the fluctuating power supply, describing the frustration among the public as “real” and increasingly widespread.

His comments come at a time when parts of the country have been experiencing intermittent electricity supply challenges, commonly referred to in previous years as “dumsor”. Such disruptions have historically affected households, commerce, and academic activities, raising public concern whenever they re-emerge.

Education stakeholders and parents have also repeatedly warned that unstable electricity during examination periods places additional pressure on candidates, many of whom rely on evening study hours for revision.

The MP’s appeal adds to growing calls for a swift and sustainable resolution to the power situation, particularly as thousands of students across the country prepare for major national examinations in the coming weeks.

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Prices of petroleum products are expected to decline marginally at the pumps from January 1, 2026.

The projection is contained in the latest outlook report by the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), which guides pricing decisions by oil marketing companies and has been sighted by JoyBusiness.

Projected Reduction

The price of petrol is expected to fall by between 2.40% and 4.80%, bringing the pump price per litre to about GH¢11.90.

Diesel is projected to decline by as much as 3.77%, which could see a litre selling at around GH¢12.50.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is also expected to drop by up to 2.19%, resulting in a kilogram selling at approximately GH¢13.40.

Reasons

According to the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies, the expected reduction has been influenced mainly by declining prices of crude oil and finished petroleum products on the international market.

Market data show that international refined product prices fell significantly during the period, with petrol down 9.17%, diesel down 8.11%, and LPG down 3.82%.

The cedi has also strengthened against the US dollar, appreciating by more than 3% over the past three weeks.

For the January 1, 2026, pricing window, the local currency rose from GH¢11.14 to GH¢10.50 to the dollar, representing an 8.20% gain.

This marks one of its strongest performances in recent months, and a sharp improvement from the GH¢14.84 recorded during the same period last year.

More than 200 Oil Marketing Companies have told JoyBusiness they will begin reducing prices from this weekend after completing the necessary adjustments at the pumps.

Others say the changes could take effect as early as Monday.

Some marketers have also indicated that further reductions could follow if the cedi continues to appreciate or remains stable against the dollar.

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