Staff members of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) across Ghana are threatening a nationwide strike in response to claims that the government plans to sell off or merge these key entities.
The move comes amid growing concerns over a bill currently under review in Parliament. The proposed bill seeks to merge VRA with Bui Power Authority, combine the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) with NEDCO, and establish an independent Thermal Power Authority from VRA’s thermal plants.
This restructuring has sparked significant unrest among employees, who fear job losses and a lack of transparency from the government.
On Friday morning, September 13, 2024, a visit to VRA’s headquarters revealed staff members adorned in red armbands and the main building and surrounding trees were decorated with red bands. This visual protest underscores the staff’s growing frustration and concerns.
In conversations with employees, many expressed their apprehension about the future.
“We are worried about losing our jobs,” said one worker, “as we are uncertain about the government’s intentions.”
Another staff member voiced dissatisfaction with the government’s approach: “The government has not engaged us in meaningful dialogue. Selling or merging VRA with Bui Power Authority is not the solution.”
Employees also accused the government of contributing to VRA’s underperformance by failing to provide the necessary logistics and equipment. “The lack of support and resources has hampered our efficiency and ability to deliver on our mandate,” another employee stated.
The mounting dissatisfaction has led to threats of a major demonstration scheduled for next week. Staff members have vowed to escalate their protests if their concerns are not addressed. They are calling for open discussions with the government and a reconsideration of the proposed restructuring plans.
As the situation unfolds, both VRA and NEDCO employees are calling for transparency and engagement from the government to ensure that their jobs and the effectiveness of these critical utilities are safeguarded.
