Workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) are demonstrating in parts of the country over a proposed takeover of the company by a private entity under a concessionary deal.
Government has defended the move, arguing that the deal will guarantee greater efficiency in the company but the workers have strongly opposed it citing potential job losses among others.
Citi News’ Philip Nii Lartey joined demonstrating workers at some ECG offices in Accra and reported that the workers were conveying their concerns as their way of commemorating the World Public Service day today.
The workers warned that if the country did not stand on their feet and allowed the concessionary deal to go through, the many repercussions would affect the nation.
One of the workers questioned the concession saying, “in the first place, why should ECG have part of it sold? They are not selling it to fellow Ghanaians, they are selling it to somebody who is coming from nowhere.”
“The concessioner will come with a profit motive. We are even hearing from the back doors that concessioners is not interested in the whole country. They want to take some portion of ECG operational grounds within the country,” the worker added.
The takeover the workers are protesting will see the ECG come under a 25 year concessionary agreement in fulfillment of the conditions under the Ghana Power Compact II of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).
Per the Compact II of the MCA signed by the government in August 2014, the ECG is set to be released to a private company for about 25 years.
Among other things, the move seeks to ensure reliable power supply for domestic and industrial use, improved transparency and independence in the setting of regulated tariffs by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
Sit down strike
In the Central Region, Citi News’ Akwesi Koranteng reported that workers of ECG in the area are on a sit down strike.
“At the Agona Swedru district office, workers numbering about 40 clad in red and black attire are idling around the ECG compound.”
He said the entrance of the offices as vehicles were decorated with red bands and banners.
Akwesi Koranteng reported added that some of the banners read: “Leave ECG alone, MIDA Stop ECG privatisation now.”
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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Photo credit: Philip Nii Lartey, Elvis Washington, Akwesi Koranteng