- Illegal mining damaging power pylons and water bodies at Bui Dam
- GRIDCo and VRA installations under threat from encroachment
- WAPCo gas pipeline endangered by unauthorized development
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy has expressed serious concerns about the impact of illegal mining (galamsey) on Ghana’s energy infrastructure, warning that critical installations are increasingly at risk.
According to Deputy Ranking Member Collins Adomako-Mensah, essential assets of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) and the Bui Power Authority have recently come under threat due to the encroachment and destructive activities of illegal miners.
“Galamsey is taking a heavy toll on the energy sector—not just the water bodies, but also key installations,” he stated.
He noted that power pylons are being destabilized as miners dig dangerously close to their bases, and water quality at the Bui Dam is rapidly deteriorating. During a visit to Bui, concerns were also raised about the WAPCo gas pipeline, which is being encroached upon by unauthorized structures, posing a national security risk to operations at the Volta River Authority (VRA).
“At the VRA gas plant in Tema, people are building on the major pipeline from Nigeria. That’s a serious concern,” he emphasized.
The committee visited the Anwomaso Thermal Power Station in Kumasi on October 1, 2025, as part of a broader tour that included stops at Bui Power, GRIDCo, and NEDCo. The visits aim to understand the challenges facing energy institutions and support their efforts.
Despite the threats, the committee commended the performance of power sector players, particularly the VRA, for maintaining a stable power supply.
Albert Nyarkotey Tetteh, committee member and MP for Yilo Krobo, praised VRA’s performance:
“VRA is doing very well. The power situation is stable. Many plants aren’t even operating at full capacity. If the power goes off today, I won’t blame VRA—I’ll blame the devil.”
The committee is now calling for greater government investment and support to safeguard existing gains and strengthen the sector, especially in the face of mounting illegal mining threats.
