The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has successfully contained a heavy fire outbreak at the GRIDCo substation within the Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam Complex on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The distress call received at 1405 hours indicated that the fire, which started around 1400 hours from a DC panel at the switchyard, escalated after an explosion in the switchover room. Initial attempts by facility supervisors using portable fire extinguishers provided temporary control before the blaze intensified amid heavy smoke.
Firefighters from Akosombo, Akuse, Somanya, Kpong and Peki fire stations, numbering 64 personnel and led by DO II Isaac Gyamera Aboagye, with three fire pumps, mounted a coordinated response. The crews confined the fire at 1453 hours, brought it under control at 1851 hours, and fully extinguished it at 1900 hours.
Although the powerhouse and its contents, including power cables, control panels and switches, were destroyed, no casualties were recorded. Firefighters also salvaged pylons with overhead transmission lines from the fire ruins.
The Chief Fire Officer, Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong, and the Director of Operations visited the scene early this morning to assess the damage and determine further safety measures. Investigations into the cause of the fire have commenced.
