A man believed to be in his late thirties died on Saturday after being electrocuted while allegedly attempting to steal an earth cable from an Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) substation in Adoato, near Kumasi’s Metro Mass Transit Station.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of April 19, 2025, caused widespread power outages across parts of Greater Kumasi and neighboring communities, disrupting services and compounding frustrations over recurring infrastructure vandalism.
ECG officials confirmed the man was tampering with a live cable at the Adoato substation when he suffered a fatal electric shock. The company condemned the act as part of a “troubling rise” in attacks on critical power infrastructure in the Ashanti Region, citing recent incidents at the same substation and Adum Central Business District. “Vandalism of transformers, cables, and protective equipment jeopardizes stable power supply and endangers lives,” ECG stated, urging public vigilance.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command removed the body to a local mortuary and launched an investigation. Authorities reiterated calls for communities to report suspicious activity via police stations, ECG offices, or the company’s PowerApp and social media channels.
ECG’s appeal underscores a broader struggle to safeguard energy infrastructure amid economic strains. Illegal tapping and cable theft, often driven by black-market demand for metals, have escalated nationwide, leaving utilities grappling with repair costs and communities facing prolonged outages. The Adoato incident highlights the lethal risks of such crimes, which frequently target live installations despite public warnings.
Analysts note that while enforcement remains critical, addressing root causes including unemployment and inadequate scrap metal regulation is equally vital. For ECG, balancing infrastructure security with affordable, reliable power delivery poses an ongoing challenge, particularly in regions like Ashanti, where population growth outpaces grid upgrades.
As Kumasi residents await restored services, the tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the human toll of infrastructure sabotage, prompting renewed debate over collaborative solutions between law enforcement, utilities, and communities to deter future crises.
