From birds to snakes: How animals are causing power outages in Kumasi
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has attributed the power outages in the Ashanti Region on June 11, 2025, to a snake entering the company’s substation at Kwaso in the Ejisu municipality.
According to the ECG, the snake made contact between the feeder and the ground, triggering an automatic shutdown of the Akyawkrom 2 feeder line.
However, the company’s emergency team restored power shortly after the incident.
Officials expressed concern over how animals have recently been causing frequent power outages in the region.
“Wildlife, especially snakes and birds, continue to pose real threats to grid reliability,” said Collins Manu, ECG’s Ashanti Sub-Transmission PRO.
He also said ECG is investing in snake guards, sealing cable entry points, clearing vegetation, and improving drainage to prevent animal access to substations.
He further encouraged the public to report unusual activity near power facilities.
Ing. Peter K. Fletcher, General Manager of Ashanti Sub-Transmission, said early reports from the public help prevent outages.
The company confirmed that wildlife intrusion remains a non-technical risk to grid stability and is expanding efforts to reduce such incidents.
It would be recalled that the company on May 16 also announced how birds are causing power outages in the Ashanti Region.
According to the Ashanti Sub-Transmission Region of ECG, the birds have mostly been attacking installations, leading to frequent outages and operational challenges that are affecting consumers across several districts.
“As a division responsible for restoring the system to its original state, we will continue to improve our efforts to ensure uninterrupted service,” Mr. Collins Manu, Head of Public Relations for the Ashanti Sub-Transmission, noted.
A recent report from the team indicated that the most affected areas include Barekese in Atwima Nwabiagya North, Akyawkrom in Ejisu, Effiduase and Kumawu in Sekyere East and Sekyere Kumawu, and Bekwai.
Other places include New Edubiase and Manso Nkwanta in Amansie East, Adansi South, and Amansie West, respectively.