Morgan Ayawine
The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU), has opposed the sale of the Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO) to a private investor.
In a press release signed by ICU General Secretary, Morgan Ayawine, the union stated, “ICU-Ghana, as a key and indispensable stakeholder, is vehemently opposed to any sale, concession, or arrangement that would deprive Ghana of sole ownership of VALCO, one of the nation’s most strategic and irreplaceable assets”.
It further urged government to recapitalise the company like that of the National Investment Bank (NIB) stating that national assets must be preserved for the interest of Ghanaians.
“We strongly urge Government to desist from any contemplated sale of VALCO to private interests. National assets must be preserved, strengthened, and developed to serve the collective interest of Ghanaians, regardless of cost. They must not be disposed of for transient or personal gains,” it stated.
The Union further opined that it finds it hard to understand the continuous plans by certain eminent Ghanaian personalities to push for the sale of the company arguing that investors do not have the interest of the nation at heart.
“The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU), Ghana, therefore finds it difficult to understand the persistent machinations by certain prominent Ghanaian personalities to push for the sale of VALCO to a private investor an investor whose primary interest may not be the welfare of Ghana, but personal gain to the detriment of the Republic”.
It Union highlighted the rise of unemployment noting that the sale of VALCO will amount to unemployment thereby increasing the crisis in the country stating that recapitalisation will help create additional jobs.
“Selling VALCO would inevitably result in job losses and further worsen the unemployment crisis. Conversely, adequately resourcing VALCO would not only safeguard existing jobs but also create additional employment opportunities,” it stated.
It further added that, “the proposed sale of portions of VALCO’s lands to private individuals is unconscionable and amounts to a grave betrayal of public trust. These lands are held in trust for the people of Ghana for future expansion and development of VALCO’s operations and are therefore not transferable”.
By Florence Asamoah Adom