Senior staff of the Volta River Authority (VRA), alongside members of the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) under the Trades Union Congress (TUC), held a major protest at the VRA headquarters in Accra on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. The demonstration was in fierce opposition to a proposed merger between the VRA and Bui Power Authority, as well as the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).
The bill, currently before Parliament, also proposes the establishment of an independent Thermal Power Authority, which would take control of the VRA’s thermal plants. Protesters argue that these plans would significantly weaken the operations of the VRA, threatening its future viability.
Theophilus Tetteh Ahia, Chairman of the VRA Senior Staff Association, voiced strong concerns during the protest, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the bill. “Our demand is simple—the bill must be withdrawn for a peaceful existence. VRA has been established for many years and has operated successfully. This merger threatens that legacy,” Ahia said.
He further emphasized that workers will continue their resistance, stating, “We will keep praying, seek divine intervention, and do everything in our power to stop this from happening.”
The proposed merger has sparked widespread concern, with VRA employees warning that it could dismantle the institution’s long-standing role in Ghana’s energy sector. The protest is part of ongoing efforts to resist the government’s restructuring plans, which many believe could alter the power dynamics in the energy sector for the worse.
Source: NKONKONSA.com