Minister Jinapor Issues One-Month Ultimatum to GRIDCo Encroachers as Government Boosts Military Infrastructure and Law Enforcement

Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, has issued a final one-month ultimatum for all individuals and businesses illegally occupying Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) transmission rights-of-way to evacuate voluntarily. This stern directive follows a recent incident where a fuel tanker undergoing unauthorized welding exploded beneath the Tema–Achimota 161kV transmission line, severely compromising the structural integrity of a transmission tower. Citing legal instruments L.I. 542 and L.I. 1737, which mandate protected corridors of 15 to 20 metres for high-voltage lines, the Minister emphasized that non-compliance after the deadline will result in forceful enforcement by security services to ensure public safety and the reliability of the national power supply.

In a parallel effort to strengthen national security infrastructure, the Minister for Finance and acting Minister of Defence, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has inaugurated the new Butler Barracks accommodation and office complex. The project, which includes a Music Hall for the Ghana Armed Forces Central Band and facilities for the Central Ordnance Depot, represents a significant investment in the welfare and operational readiness of military personnel. During the ceremony, which marked one of his final acts in the defense portfolio, Dr. Forson highlighted the critical role of public-private partnerships in addressing military housing needs and urged the Ghana Armed Forces to uphold a rigorous maintenance culture to preserve these national assets.

While infrastructure development remains a priority, the government and judiciary are also addressing internal security and fraud. In Accra, the Circuit Court has granted bail of GH¢350,000 to retired Fire Officer Thomas Dorkenu, who is accused of orchestrating a GH¢303,200 enlistment scam. Dorkenu allegedly defrauded 60 applicants by promising them positions in the Ghana National Fire Service through fake protocol allocations. Simultaneously, the Bunkpurugu-Nakpanduri District Police Command has suspended the use of muskets and gunshots at funerals until further notice to prevent potential security breaches, reflecting a broader effort to maintain public order across the country.

These administrative actions coincide with targeted law enforcement initiatives aimed at protecting vulnerable populations and improving service delivery. The Madina Divisional Police Command has announced a renewed crackdown on child labor and human trafficking, specifically targeting the exploitation of children as head-porters (kayayei) in local markets. However, the expansion of these security efforts faces logistical hurdles; in the Adaklu District, Assistant Superintendent of Police Esther Buakuma has made an urgent appeal for residential accommodation for personnel. She noted that many officers must currently commute from Ho, which hampers police visibility and response times, signaling a need for continued infrastructure investment in the interior.