The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has expressed strong opposition to the privatization of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), warning that such a move could result in skyrocketing electricity tariffs and the mass dismissal of workers.
According to the TUC, ECG’s financial struggles are largely due to excessive political interference in its operations.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, April 10, during the annual national executive council meeting of the Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU) of TUC, General Secretary Timothy Nyame stressed that ECG could thrive if these challenges were properly addressed.
“It must be emphasized that ECG remains a critical national asset, essential for driving Ghana’s economic development, ensuring national sovereignty and energy security, and fostering social equity,” the union said.
The TUC pointed to issues such as the distribution of political meters, take-or-pay contracts, frequent changes in managing directors, politically influenced board appointments, and meddling in procurement processes as key factors undermining the utility’s performance.
“While the challenges facing ECG are significant, ranging from political interference to operational inefficiencies, privatization/PSP is not a viable or sustainable solution,” the union added.
The TUC warned that privatizing the company would come at a high cost to both workers and consumers. Instead, the union suggests addressing the company’s financial struggles through strategic reforms that reduce political interference.
The Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU), part of the TUC, shares these concerns and has expressed its commitment to resisting privatization efforts.
In the view of the TUC, maintaining public control of ECG is essential for ensuring the provision of essential services like electricity remains a public responsibility.