A Board Member of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Wonder Victor Kutor, has described as “professional blackmail”, claims that Government is planning to sell VALCO to Ibrahim Mahama, brother of President John Dramani Mahama.
Kutor says the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) is not up for sale in the first place, and the President’s brother has neither expressed interest nor made any bid to acquire the aluminium smelter.
His comments follow claims by a section of the public and staff of the Company, that the State-owned industry has been earmarked for sale, with the workers demonstrating against the move on Monday, July 27, 2026.
The workers, who blocked the main entrance to the plant in Tema, expressed worry about job security and want transparency in the government’s plans. They alleged the Company is being sold to ARK Holdings, which belongs to Ibrahim Mahama, brother of the President Mahama.
Local Union Chairman, Samuel Watchman Agyeman, has decried what he described as leadership ignoring workers on developments concerning the company, despite raising concerns since January this year.
But reacting to the development on the BigIssue segment on the NewDay morning show on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, Kutor explained that people are linking Ibrahim Mahama to VALCO because of how successful he has been at the mining sector.
He, however indicated that it is wrong for people to link VALCO to him, when he had not made any move to be associated with the Company.
“Mr. Ibrahim Mahama has done credibly well in the mining sector, no two ways about that,” he stated.
“But to bring somebody who has not shown any interest, made any offer to this whole equation is professional blackmail,” he maintained.
He questioned those making those allegations if Mr. Mahama has either expressed any interest in the Company or made a bid to acquire it. “Yes, Ibrahim Mahama is good, Ibrahim Mahama is doing well, but has he made an offer? Has he shown an interest?”
Meanwhile, Kutor indicated that VALCO is facing challenges and needs help. “All is not well with VALCO,” he said, citing his position on the VRA Board, which supplies power to the aluminum smelter.
The VRA Board Member’s statement suggests that while VALCO is not being sold, its financial situation is precarious. “VALCO needs help, they need support, that is the bottom line,” Kutor said.
Although Government has not officially indicated any plans to sell the Company, Kutor’s assertion suggests finding a solution to VALCO’s challenges remains a priority.
‘All is not well with VALCO, but it’s not for sale’ – VRA Board Member
