THIEVES recently removed the electric copper cables along the Tafo-Bunso stretch of the main Koforidua-Nkawkaw transmission line in the Eastern Region.
The copper cables can be used in the manufacture of all sorts of jewels and it will cost the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) GH¢50,000 to replace the copper cables with cables made of aluminium.
The theft, which occurred between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., plunged a number of towns in the Abuakwa East Municipality and the Atiwa District such as Bunso, Osino, Anyinam, Kwabeng and numerous communities into total darkness.
Engineers of the ECG drawn from various districts in the region under the direct supervision of the Eastern Regional Director, Mr Kobina Arthur-Forson have, however, worked around the clock to replace the copper cables with aluminium cables to restore power supply to affected towns and villages.
According to Mr Arthur-Forson, the total cost for the replacement of the cables together with others stolen in the area this month amounted to GH¢50,000.
He said cable thefts in the region, especially along the main Koforidua-Nkawkaw transmission lines had been on the ascendancy, adding that apart from its replacement putting a severe financial strain on the ECG, households and businesses in affected areas also suffered from such criminal acts.
Mr Arthur-Forson, who did not rule out the involvement of expert hands within the ECG and others from electrical contracting firms, visited some of the communities within the area to solicit support for the arrest of the culprits.
“The electric cables are national assets so every person should be on the lookout to apprehend the culprits,” the regional director stated.
At Ettokrom near Bunso, the chief, Nana Kwame Asiedu, said his people nearly arrested some of the culprits who had gathered within the precincts of the town a few days earlier.
He said a task force had been formed to support the community police to apprehend the culprits.
Nana Ago II, the Queen of Nsutam, whose community was also affected, said the disruption of power supply due to the cutting of the cables had negatively affected the socio-economic activities of the town.
She said the traditional authority was supporting the youth in the area to apprehend the culprits.
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