The Public Utilities Workers Union (PUWU) of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has declared a three-day nationwide demonstration against the privatization of ECG from today.
The demonstration, which is expected to take place in the various offices of ECG across the country, will last for three hours each day from 8:00am to 11:00am.
Michael Adumatta Nyantakyi, General Secretary of PUWU, who was addressing a press conference in Accra yesterday, said the Union has called on government to review the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact, which seeks to cede the ECG to private investors for a period of 25 years.
“We are not asking the Government of Ghana to abrogate the MCC compact, but we are requesting that GOG and MCC should review the Compact.
“Private Sector Participation (PSP) as a condition precedent and trigger for entry into force should be modified to include pragmatic steps or measures that can bring efficiency and profitability to ECG using the disciplined leadership and governance transformation method,” he said.
Mr Nyantakyi noted that they will not back down their decision until their demands are met, adding “To buttress our resolve and determination to resist this privatization process, the leadership of the workers has decided that there will be a three-hour demonstration in the regional and district offices of ECG every morning from Wednesday, August 24, 2016 from 8:00 am to 11:00 am up to Friday, August 26, 2016. The red flags will continue to fly until further notice.”
He reiterated that the ECG’s privatization policy decision is not the best option for the country.
“This policy is not the best option to bring reforms to make ECG more efficient and profitable. We have already articulated our views and suggestion in our position paper to MiDA and the Ministry of Power.
“Unfortunately, the Government of Ghana with tacit pressure from MCC of the United States of America is still pushing this agenda despite all the negative implications for our country and its citizens, Nyantakyi said.
He said the union will continue to put pressure on government until the policy is reviewed in the best interest of the country.
Cephas Larbi