Power Outages to Hit Parts of Ashanti Region on May 3, 4, and May 7: See Affected Areas

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has scheduled a series of emergency and planned maintenance works that will cause temporary power outages across the Ashanti Region this week. These interruptions are set for Sunday, May 3; Monday, May 4; and Thursday, May 7, 2026, as part of a broader effort to enhance the reliability and efficiency of the power grid.

While “dumsor” (power instability) is always a sensitive topic, the ECG maintains that these specific outages are technical necessities. By performing these upgrades now, the company aims to prevent unplanned transformer failures and improve long-term service delivery for both residential and industrial customers. Residents and businesses in the affected zones are advised to plan ahead and protect sensitive electronic equipment during these windows.

What is the schedule for the emergency maintenance on Sunday, May 3?

Emergency maintenance works are scheduled for Sunday, May 3, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. This three-hour window will affect several high-traffic areas and essential facilities within the Ashanti Region.

The areas specifically listed for this emergency intervention include Bantama, Kwadaso Nsoum, and Prempeh College. Other communities such as Akropong, Nyankerenase, Kokosu, Kegasi Estate, Daaba, Sepaase, and Nkawie will also experience outages. Furthermore, the power interruption will extend to Offinso, Ahenkro, and the Barekese Headworks. Since the Barekese Headworks are included, residents should also be mindful of potential water supply fluctuations often linked to power at pumping stations.

Which areas are affected by the planned maintenance on Monday, May 4?

A longer planned maintenance exercise will take place on Monday, May 4, 2026, lasting six hours from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This phase targets a different cluster of communities, primarily within the Kwadaso and Manso districts.

The communities impacted on Monday include Edwenase, Nwamase, Apire, Ampatia, and Trede. Additionally, Sabin Akrofrom, Ohwumasi, Asuoyeboah, and Santasi will be without power during this period. The outage will also stretch to Twedie, Foase, Manso Nkwanta, and surrounding neighborhoods. This six-hour block is critical for engineers to replace aging insulators and clear lines of vegetation that often cause faults during the rainy season.

What is the timeline for the final maintenance round on Thursday, May 7?

The final round of scheduled maintenance is set for Thursday, May 7, 2026, and will be the longest session, running from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. This nine-hour interruption covers many of the same areas serviced earlier in the week to finalize complex grid upgrades.

Affected zones for Thursday include Edwenase, Kwadaso, Nwamase, Apire, and Trede. Parts of the Santasi and Manso communities will also be included in this comprehensive maintenance window. The extended duration is necessary for more intensive technical tasks that cannot be safely completed in a shorter timeframe. ECG has apologized for the inconvenience and emphasizes that these works are vital for stabilizing the regional distribution network.

Factual Insights into the 2026 Ashanti Regional Power Upgrades:

• Total Maintenance Days: There are three distinct days of work: May 3, May 4, and May 7.
• Maximum Duration: The longest scheduled outage is nine hours on Thursday, May 7.
• Institutional Impact: Key institutions like Prempeh College and Barekese Headworks are included in the emergency schedule.
• Regional Scope: The outages affect a wide geographic area from urban Bantama to the mining-heavy Manso Nkwanta.
• Official Reason: ECG cites the need for “improving service delivery” and “enhancing reliability and efficiency”.
• National Context: These works follow recent similar maintenance announced for Accra West and the Eastern Region in late April.
• Safety Warning: Residents are urged to treat all electrical installations as “live” during the outage period in case of early restoration.

Why is ECG conducting these outages now in the Ashanti Region?

The ECG states that these planned and emergency works are essential for the “reliability and efficiency of electricity supply”. Over time, distribution lines and transformers degrade due to weather and high load demands, requiring proactive replacement to prevent total system collapses.

Performing maintenance in a “planned” manner allows the utility provider to inform the public, whereas a “forced” outage from a hardware failure would leave residents in the dark without warning. By targeting the first week of May, the ECG is likely attempting to clear backlog maintenance before the peak of the tropical storm season, which frequently causes line faults in the Ashanti Region. It’s a “stitch in time” logic—a few hours of scheduled darkness now avoids days of unplanned darkness later.

How should businesses in Kwadaso and Manso prepare for these outages?

Businesses, particularly those in the Manso and Kwadaso areas, should prepare for significant downtime, especially during the nine-hour window on May 7. Cold store operators, salons, and digital service providers are encouraged to arrange for alternative power sources like generators or solar backups.

It is also advisable to unplug sensitive equipment such as computers and medical devices before the scheduled start time to avoid power surges when the electricity is restored. Manufacturing hubs in the Ashanti Region often use these scheduled windows to perform their own internal machinery maintenance, turning a forced pause into a productive operational check.

What precautions should residential customers take during the May 3–7 window?

Residential customers in areas like Bantama, Santasi, and Offinso should prioritize food preservation and home security during the outages. Since some outages last up to nine hours, keeping refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible will help maintain internal temperatures and prevent food spoilage.

Additionally, ensure that all mobile devices and portable power banks are fully charged before the maintenance begins. For those in Offinso and Ahenkro, it is worth storing extra water in case the Barekese Headworks outage affects the local water pressure or distribution. ECG’s apology for the inconvenience serves as a reminder to stay patient while the technical teams work on the high-voltage lines.

Also Read: NOTICE: ECG Scheduled Power Outages in Accra East Due to Akosombo Substation Fire

Can the Barekese Headworks outage affect water supply?

While the ECG notice focuses on electricity, the inclusion of the Barekese Headworks in the May 3 emergency maintenance list suggests a possible knock-on effect for water distribution. The Barekese dam and its treatment plant rely heavily on a stable power supply to pump water to Kumasi and its environs.

If the pumping station loses power for three hours on Sunday, there may be a temporary drop in water pressure in some neighborhoods. Residents should fill their storage tanks and buckets as a precaution on Saturday evening. Even if the outage is brief, the recovery of water pressure in a large city-wide system can sometimes take several hours longer than the restoration of electricity.

Summary of Affected Areas by Date:

Also Read: Ghana Power Maintenance Update: ECG Boss Outlines Timelines for Grid Restoration