Snake Causes Temporary Power Outage in Kwaso, Ghana

Kwaso, Ghana — A snake caused a brief power outage in Kwaso, located in the Ejisu Municipality of the Ashanti Region, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) reported that the serpent made contact with the Akyawkrom 2 feeder, which grounded the line and disrupted electricity in multiple areas.

The ECG’s Sub-Transmission Line Maintenance Team quickly responded, restoring power by 3:39 p.m. the same day. Officials indicated that while service was promptly revived, such occurrences spotlight the ongoing challenges of wildlife interference with electrical operations.

“Wildlife, especially snakes and birds, continue to pose real threats to grid reliability,” said Collins Manu, ECG’s Ashanti Sub-Transmission Head of PR. He emphasized the necessity of investing in wildlife mitigation infrastructure, including snake guards and improved sealing mechanisms around substations.

ECG has been proactive in addressing these issues, implementing preventive measures like trimming vegetation and enhancing drainage systems to make substations less attractive to wildlife.

Ing. Peter K. Fletcher, General Manager of ECG Ashanti Sub-Transmission, echoed Manu’s sentiments, stating, “Our customers are our first line of defense. When they report unusual activity around our assets, we can prevent potential outages.”

The incident underscores the importance of community vigilance and the ongoing efforts by ECG to ensure a reliable power supply despite the challenges posed by wildlife.