The Public Utilities Workers’ Union (PUWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC)-Ghana has criticised the government’s decision to appoint a Transaction Advisor to facilitate private sector participation (PSP) in the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), describing the move as an act of bad faith that undermines ongoing stakeholder engagement.
In a press statement issued on August 3, 2026, the union said it had been actively engaging the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition on alternative proposals to address challenges facing ECG and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).
According to PUWU, the Ministry had requested the union to submit a comprehensive alternative proposal after discussions on the government’s intended PSP arrangement. The union said it subsequently submitted a detailed position paper but has yet to receive any acknowledgement from the Ministry.
The union expressed disappointment that, despite the ongoing consultations, the government had proceeded to appoint a Transaction Advisor, whom it said is already advancing the privatisation agenda.
PUWU further argued that the government’s decision contradicts assurances contained in the 2026 Budget Statement, which indicated that reforms in the energy sector would take into account stakeholder representations and proposals.
The union maintained that its position paper highlighted several structural and operational challenges affecting ECG and NEDCo, including political interference in management and procurement processes, the appointment of non-technical board members, uncoordinated Self-Help Electrification Programme (SHEP) activities, foreign exchange losses, bulk customer reclassification, and weaknesses in accountability and transparency across the electricity value chain.
Rather than privatisation, PUWU said it had proposed practical reforms aimed at improving operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and corporate governance while keeping the two state-owned utilities under public ownership.
The union argued that previous privatisation efforts in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa have shown that transferring public utilities to private investors often increases costs to consumers, reduces access to essential services, threatens employment, and undermines national energy security.
PUWU called on the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition and the Government to prioritise long-term national interests by strengthening ECG and NEDCo as public institutions. It said retaining public ownership would help guarantee affordable and equitable access to electricity, preserve national sovereignty, protect jobs, and support broader socio-economic development.
While reaffirming its opposition to any attempt to privatise ECG and NEDCo, the union said it remains ready to engage government and other stakeholders in efforts to revitalise the power utilities.
PUWU also warned that, together with its affiliates within the Trades Union Congress, it is prepared to mobilise all legitimate means to resist any policy aimed at transferring ownership or control of the strategic national assets to private interests.
Source:www.kumasimail.com
