By Ashiadey Dotse
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, says the government will construct a new six-kilometre power line to improve electricity supply in the Bia West Constituency following persistent power outages that have affected residents for a long time.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday, March 16, 2026, in response to a question by the Member of Parliament for Bia West, Mustapha Tanko Amadu, the minister explained that the power challenge in the constituency is largely due to the long distance electricity is transmitted through the current feeder line.
According to him, Bia West is currently served by a 33-kilovolt (kV) feeder line from Bonsu-Nkwanta, which stretches about 80 kilometres through a forest area before reaching the constituency. He noted that the long distance and heavy vegetation along the route often lead to frequent power interruptions.
Mr. Jinapor said the government inherited the challenge but has proposed a solution to improve the reliability of electricity supply to the area.
He disclosed that the ministry plans to construct and divert a six-kilometre portion of the Benkyema feeder line between Nsesemu and Elukrom.
According to him, the intervention will help minimize outages caused by vegetation along the feeder line, which often interferes with electricity transmission.
The minister also indicated that the project will include the removal of 60 trees along sections of the feeder routes to reduce interference with the power lines. He said this exercise will require the cooperation of residents living along the route and the approval of the Forestry Commission of Ghana.
Mr. Jinapor revealed that the ministry has already written to the Forestry Commission to seek approval for the tree-felling exercise to pave the way for the project.
More importantly, he announced that a contract for the construction of the new line has already been awarded. According to him, the agreement was signed on January 19, 2026, with Messrs Emessar Engineering Works to construct the six-kilometre line that will close the gap between Nsesemu on the Bonsu-Nkwanta feeder and Elukrom.
He explained that once the project is completed, the Benkyema feeder will serve as an alternative power source to Bia West, providing a more reliable electricity supply to the constituency.
Mr. Jinapor added that the arrangement will also allow the Bonsu-Nkwanta feeder to primarily serve the Bonsu-Nkwanta area instead of transmitting power all the way to Bia West.
“This means instead of taking power all the way from Bonsu-Nkwanta to Bia, the feeder will mainly serve Bonsu-Nkwanta, while the new line will connect Bia West to the more reliable Benkyema feeder,” he explained.
Due to the dense vegetation along the route, the minister said the ministry has requested support from the Bia West District Assembly and the Member of Parliament to assist in clearing about 60 trees along the construction path to reduce interference with the power lines.
He noted that the Bia West Assembly, on February 26, 2026, wrote to the Forestry Services Division seeking approval to remove the trees to allow the project to proceed.
Mr. Jinapor further revealed that discussions are currently ongoing with the Forestry Commission to secure the necessary approval, adding that he has personally taken up the issue with the minister responsible for the sector.
He assured the MP and residents of Bia West that the government remains committed to addressing the power challenges in the constituency.
“Our government is not sleeping. We are working around the clock to deal with this hydra-headed problem and ensure reliable power supply for the people,” he said.
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Source:
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