The workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) are kicking against government’s decision to privatiise some operations of the company.
They argue that Ghana “has enough brains and the capacity to manage this company profitably without giving it out to any foreign entity.”
“Workers of ECG are not in support of the government of Ghana’s decision to give the company to a private entity under a concessional arrangement,” said the Deputy General Secretary of the Public Utility Workers Union, Michael Nyantakyi.
[contextly_sidebar id=”gQ6J6pwxAkvcvKnJBGcE9gSgN8JY0o4Z”]Ghana is preparing to implement the second Millennium Challenge Compact of about $490 million which is aimed at addressing the challenges in the entire power supply value chain, specifically in generation, transmission and distribution.
Government subsequently has announced that it is opening its doors for more private companies to invest in the power sector to enhance efficiency.
In May this year, cabinet approved the option of private participation in the operations of the ECG but many are of the view that the government is working to sell ECG.
The President, John Mahama however said: “When people try to misinform the nation and the public by saying that our carrying out the reform in terms of allowing private sector participation in the distribution of power, by that we are privatizing ECG its absolutely untrue. Government has no intention of privatizing ECG. ECG is still a 100% government owned entity and will remain a 100% government owned entity.”
The workers of ECG have vowed to disrupt the privatisation of the company.
According to them, they believe the government is embarking on a cause which fundamentally does not address the problems within the energy sector.
Mr. Nyantakyi said the main reason for Ghana’s energy crisis is because of “inadequate supply and it is not an issue of distribution.”
ECG has problems but…
Mr. Nyantakyi acknowledged the fact that there may be some level of wastage within the system “but that is no guarantee and it is no reason for the company to be given out on concession.”
He suggested that if there are managerial challenges, it should be properly looked at and addressed but “it’s not a question of packaging the whole company and giving out to a foreign entity to come and run it. It is not the solution. The solution is; if management is the issue, let’s address the question of management.”
Mr. Nyantakyi said frequently changing the Managing Director of the company is a contributing factor to the many problems facing the company.
“Leadership is the key and it takes one person to bring transformation… I believe if we tackle the question of management, we don’t need to package such a sensitive entity and give it out on concession.”
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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