A snake bridging feeder cables at the Akyawkrom 2 feeder caused power outages in several parts of the Ashanti Region on June 11, 2025. The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) reported that the incident occurred when the snake came into contact with the feeder, disrupting supply across the region.
The ECG’s Ashanti Sub-Transmission Line Maintenance Team quickly responded to the incident at Kwaso, Ejisu, and restored power by 15:39hrs. Both Akyawkrom 1 and 2 interconnectors were fully restored, with all affected substations back online and picking up full load.
According to Ing. Peter K. Fletcher, General Manager of ECG Ashanti Sub-Transmission, wildlife, especially snakes and birds, continue to pose a threat to grid reliability. “Our preventive measures include trimming vegetation, reinforcing fencing, and improving drainage systems to make substations less attractive to snakes and other animals,” he noted.
This incident highlights the need for ongoing efforts to prevent wildlife interference in Ghana’s power grid. Residents in nearby communities have previously experienced snake invasions, with some areas reporting hundreds of snakes in homes and public spaces. Experts attribute these invasions to extreme starvation, flooding, and proximity to refuse dumps that attract rodents, a primary food source for some snake species. Ghanatalk.com