GRIDCo pays courtesy call on Ga Mantse, highlights company’s role in power transmission

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), Ing. Mark Awuah, on Wednesday led a delegation of Board members and Management to pay a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II.

The visit was aimed at formally introducing the leadership of GRIDCo to the King, while also expressing gratitude to God for preserving his life following a recent accident.

Addressing the Ga Mantse and his elders, Ing. Awuah expressed appreciation to the King for granting them audience and used the opportunity to outline GRIDCo’s role in Ghana’s power sector.

“On behalf of the Board and Management, we want to thank the King for receiving us. I will briefly give a snapshot of who we are and what we do for Ghana,” he stated.

He explained that GRIDCo, established in 2008, is one of the youngest institutions in Ghana’s energy sector, having been carved out of the Volta River Authority (VRA).

Prior to this restructuring, VRA handled power generation, transmission, and distribution in some parts of the country.

According to him, the separation became necessary following government’s decision in 1994 to introduce private sector participation in power generation.

“To allow private sector participation, the transmission network could not remain in the hands of a competing entity. So government separated the transmission function to ensure a level playing field for all power producers,” he explained.

Ing. Awuah noted that GRIDCo’s core mandate is to operate a fair and open transmission system that enables all power generators to access the national grid without discrimination.

He further clarified the company’s role within the electricity value chain, describing GRIDCo as a “bulk transporter” of power.

“The electricity you receive is generated by power producers and purchased by ECG. ECG then relies on us to transport it through our network to their substations for distribution to consumers,” he said.

Touching on operations in the Greater Accra Region, the CEO revealed that GRIDCo operates about six major substations, including facilities at Dzorwulu near Achimota, Mallam, and Accra Central.

He emphasized that Greater Accra alone accounts for nearly 40 percent of Ghana’s electricity consumption, underscoring the critical importance of GRIDCo’s work in the region.

Ing. Awuah also highlighted the need for land and right-of-way corridors for transmission lines, stressing the importance of collaboration with traditional authorities and local communities.

“At the end of the day, we work closely with chiefs and communities to ensure safety and reliability in power delivery,” he noted.

He said the visit was necessary to deepen ties with the Ga Traditional Council and to help the King better appreciate the role GRIDCo plays in ensuring stable electricity supply.

“We deemed it fit to pay homage to the King, to present ourselves, and to appreciate the cooperation we have enjoyed from chieftaincy and all stakeholders in helping us deliver power to the city,” he added.

On his part, Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, underscored the critical need for leadership and institutions to prioritize the future of Ghana’s youth, warning that failure to deliver on national responsibilities would have far-reaching consequences for generations yet unborn.

He made these remarks when the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Grid Company, Ing. Mark Awuah, led a delegation of Board members and Management to pay a courtesy call on him.

Responding to the delegation, the Ga Mantse emphasized that the stakes of governance and national development go beyond the present generation.

“If we fail as a government and as a people, then we have failed generations upon generations. The future of our youth and our children is paramount, and we must go out of our way to secure it,” he stated.

The King called for deliberate efforts to build a prosperous and inclusive future that empowers young people and gives them a sense of purpose and relevance in society.

According to him, creating opportunities for the youth to thrive and leave meaningful legacies should be a shared responsibility among institutions, government agencies, and development partners.

“We must build a future of prosperity that changes the narrative and makes our young people relevant. They need opportunities and platforms that will enable them to leave a legacy,” he stressed.

The Ga Mantse further urged GRIDCo and other stakeholders to deepen collaboration with traditional authorities, noting that national development requires collective effort across multiple sectors.

He highlighted the importance of partnerships not only in the energy sector but also in areas such as healthcare, infrastructure, and social development programmes.

“This is not limited to one sector. We need partnerships across the board—health, infrastructure, and all development programmes—to ensure we deliver meaningful impact,” he added.

The visit formed part of efforts by GRIDCo’s leadership to strengthen ties with traditional authorities and enhance collaboration in the delivery of reliable electricity across the country.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith