The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has trained 23 technicians and engineers in the Ashanti Sub-Transmission Region to use infrared thermography, in a move aimed at improving preventive maintenance and reducing power outages caused by equipment failures.
The two-day refresher course took place in Kumasi from 20 to 21 August 2026. It was designed to help technical staff detect abnormal heat, known as “hotspots”, in key electrical infrastructure before those warning signs develop into serious faults.
Infrared thermography uses thermal imaging cameras to identify unusual temperature patterns in equipment including substations, pylons, cables and switchgear. Finding such abnormalities at an early stage allows maintenance teams to carry out repairs or other corrective work before equipment breaks down.
The training included classroom instruction and practical exercises in the field. It was opened by the Acting General Manager of Ashanti Sub-Transmission, Ing. Christopher Anafo, while the sessions were facilitated by Ing. Randy Delanyo Adjorlolo from ECG Head Office in Accra.
Ing. Adjorlolo said the programme would support the company’s efforts to make preventive maintenance a stronger part of its operations.
“This training is a proactive step towards strengthening ECG’s preventive maintenance culture,” he stated.
Ing. Edem Evans Agra, Substation and Switchgear Maintenance Manager, said infrared thermography would give the region a better opportunity to identify developing problems and complete repairs promptly.
He said detecting hotspots early could reduce unexpected equipment failures, limit interruptions to electricity supplies and lengthen the working life of important electrical assets.
“It is about protecting our network and serving customers better,” he said.
Speaking to the media, Collins Manu, Head of Public Relations for Ashanti Sub-Transmission, said the initiative formed part of ECG’s wider programme to improve the network.
He said ECG was continuing to invest in network upgrades, but added that the Ashanti Sub-Transmission Region was also taking preventative action to find and deal with possible faults before they affected customers.
The initiative is part of ECG’s broader strategy to improve operational efficiency, reinforce preventive maintenance and make electricity supplies more reliable across the Ashanti Region.
The refresher course has equipped technical staff to detect hidden faults before they develop into failures. ECG said this would help minimise or mitigate unplanned outages linked to problems within the network.
Participants were drawn from the region’s various sub-transmission technical sections. These included Protection & Control, Network Maintenance, Substation & Switchgear Maintenance, and Control Operations.
The training therefore brings together personnel responsible for safeguarding equipment, maintaining the network, managing substations and switchgear, and overseeing control operations.
By using thermal imaging as part of routine maintenance, the trained staff will be able to identify heat-related abnormalities that may not be visible during ordinary inspections. The aim is to act on those findings before they result in major equipment faults or interruptions for electricity users.
The programme in Kumasi is focused specifically on the Ashanti Sub-Transmission Region and supports ECG’s wider efforts to strengthen the reliability of electricity supply in the region.
By Benjamin Aidoo
