The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to immediately suspend the proposed sale of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), warning that the move could result in significant job losses and undermine the country’s industrial development.
The appeal was made during a demonstration by more than 200 VALCO workers in Tema, where members of the Union marched through parts of the industrial city before presenting a petition to the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Ebi Bright, for onward submission to the President.
The ICU gave government a one week to suspend the proposed sale agreement, warning that it will embark on a series of industrial actions if its demands are not met.
The protest comes weeks after another group of VALCO workers called on the President to appoint a strategic investor to revive the struggling aluminium smelter through fresh capital injection. While reports later suggested that the President and Cabinet had approved an investor for the company, the decision has divided the workforce, with many workers fearing it could pave the way for layoffs.
Presenting the petition, General Secretary of the ICU, Morgan Ayawine, described VALCO as a strategic national asset that should remain under state ownership.
“VALCO is a national asset, and we cannot continue to sit aloof and allow anybody to run the company without involving a key stakeholder such as the ICU,” he said.
Mr Ayawine argued that the company had made considerable progress in recent years and should not be transferred to private ownership.
“We have witnessed significant progress in VALCO, and it must be protected for the benefit of present and future generations. Transferring it to a private investor will deprive the people of Ghana of ownership of this vital national asset,” he stated.
The ICU General Secretary further questioned the rationale behind the proposed equity investment, insisting that government should instead provide financial support to strengthen the company.
“The proposed equity investment will undoubtedly affect the operations of VALCO. The proposal to sell the company should be abandoned. We have seen improved performance at VALCO, and it is unacceptable to relinquish it to a private investor,” he said.
He maintained that government should inject capital into the aluminium smelter to expand production, preserve jobs and secure the future of the company.
“The transfer of VALCO will have adverse consequences for workers and reduce the workforce. As labour leaders and stakeholders committed to protecting national assets, we believe preserving VALCO under state ownership is the best way to safeguard our jobs.”
Receiving the petition on behalf of President Mahama, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive Ebi Bright assured the workers that government would engage all relevant stakeholders and consider the concerns raised by the union.
“We want to assure you to keep faith with the government. Your concerns will be addressed,” she told the workers.
By Daniel Opoku
