The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU) has renewed its appeal to President John Dramani Mahama to suspend any proposed sale of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), insisting that the concerns of workers remain unresolved despite government’s recent engagement with employees.
The renewed appeal follows a visit by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, to the VALCO premises on Thursday, July 30, 2026, where he assured workers of government’s commitment to addressing their concerns.
However, the Union says the engagement will not resolve the matter unless government officially halts the reported sale of a majority stake in the company.
Speaking exclusively to Labour Affairs Correspondent Daniel Opoku after their 65th regular meeting of the national executive council in Accra, ICU General Secretary Morgan Ayawine said the union’s National Executive Council has resolved to petition the President following an emergency meeting held after the minister’s visit.
The latest development comes days after the ICU organised a peaceful demonstration on Monday, July 27, to protest what it describes as government’s intention to transfer a 70 percent equity stake in VALCO to a strategic private investor.
The Union argues that such a move could undermine workers’ job security and the country’s strategic interest in the aluminium industry.
Although the Board Chairman of VALCO subsequently stated that the company was not for sale, the Union says it remains unconvinced and wants direct assurances from the President.
In its petition, the ICU appealed to President Mahama to intervene and stop any plans to divest the state’s majority interest in the company.
“The Council revisited the government’s intention to offload a 70 percent equity stake in VALCO to a private investor. It is recalled that a peaceful demonstration was organised and led by the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union, Ghana, against the proposed transaction and a petition was presented to Your Excellency, respectfully appealing for the proposed sale to be halted.”
The Union expressed confidence in the President’s commitment to safeguarding strategic national assets.
“Knowing Your Excellency as a listening President who places premium value on the indigenisation and strategic ownership of key national assets, we respectfully urge you to give favourable consideration to our appeal and ensure that VALCO retains its proud status as a strategic national asset for the benefit of present and future generations of Ghanaians.”
The ICU also called on the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to broaden consultations by engaging the Union’s national leadership rather than limiting discussions to workers at the plant.
“We got to know that the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources visited the premises and engaged the workers. We believe that the sector minister should engage us, the national leadership, to address the issues and grievances raised.”
Call to revive distressed state enterprises
Beyond the VALCO issue, the ICU has urged government to prioritise the recapitalisation and revival of struggling state-owned industrial enterprises, including Neoplan Ghana Limited, Aluworks Limited, Volta Star, and Akosombo Industrial Company Limited.
The Union believes reviving these industries will create employment, reduce Ghana’s reliance on imports and strengthen the national economy.
“The Union is convinced that Your Excellency fully appreciates the urgent need to recapitalise and revive these strategic enterprises to restore industrial production, create sustainable employment, reduce the country’s dependence on imports, conserve foreign exchange and strengthen Ghana’s national economy.”
The ICU further appealed to President Mahama to use the authority of his office to ensure the survival of the country’s strategic industries.
“The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union, Ghana firmly believes that Your Excellency is a listening President committed to resetting the Ghanaian economy.”
By Daniel Opoku
