Bush fires have destroyed 78 high-tension electricity poles in 11 districts in the Volta and Oti regions since the beginning of this year, throwing some communities into darkness.

The destruction took place in the Ho, Hohoe, Ketu South, Keta, Nkwanta and Kpando areas.

Similar incidents have been recorded in the Dambai, Kpeve, Sogakope, Jasikan and Kpeve enclaves.

The General Manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in charge of the Volta and Oti regions, Christine Jatoe-Kaleo, disclosed this to the Daily Graphic in Ho last Friday.

The regional manager said last year, the ECG lost 69 poles to bushfires, saying the current situation had resulted in power outages in several communities in the two regions and  GH¢686,346.18 will be required to replace them and restore power to some of the communities.

Education campaign

For now, the ECG has embarked on a vigorous public education campaign against bushfires in the communities in a bid to curb the trend of destruction, she said.

Christine Jatoe-Kaleo — Volta, Oti General Manager of ECG

“We have started the campaign in Kpeve and will continue to other parts of the two regions soon,” she said.

Ms Jatoe-Kaleo said an ECG task force was also carrying out an operation in collaboration with its allies in the communities to identify those who caused the destructions.

“Once we identify them, we will make them buy the new poles to replace the burnt ones, in default of which we will prosecute them,” she warned.

Cause, danger

Ms Jatoe-Kaleo said information the ECG had gathered so far indicated that most of the fires were started by nomadic herdsmen and local farmers in the communities, who were clearing the land ahead of the rains.

Some bush meat hunters, she said, were also responsible for the devastating fires.

The general manager said the power supply to clients of the company was now erratic as a result of the destruction of the poles.

“This is terrible, and we still have some communities in total darkness, now,” she added.

The general manager also said the fallen power cables posed a danger to human lives.

Ms Jatoe-Kaleo appealed to patriotic people in the communities to inform the ECG about the activities of miscreants who started the fires near the company’s poles, saying there was a reward package for informants who helped to identify the arsonists.