Any efforts to privatize the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have been fiercely opposed by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which has warned that doing so could lead to job losses and sharp rises in electricity rates.
At the Public Utility Workers Union’s (PUWU) annual national executive council meeting in Accra on Thursday, April 10, TUC General Secretary Timothy Nyame made the case that ongoing political meddling is the main cause of ECG’s difficulties.
ECG’s efficiency and financial stability have been hindered by a number of issues that the union brought to light, including the distribution of “political meters,” take-or-pay power contracts, frequent leadership changes, politically influenced board appointments, and interference in procurement processes.
Nyame emphasized that ECG could thrive if these challenges are addressed internally, without resorting to privatization.
“ECG is a vital national asset, crucial for economic development, national sovereignty, energy security, and social equity,” the TUC asserted. “While the company faces real challenges, privatization or private sector involvement is not a viable or sustainable solution.”
The union urged the government to pursue reforms that would strengthen ECG from within, instead of opting for privatization, which would negatively impact workers and consumers alike.
