The senior staff of the Volta River Authority (VRA) has petitioned Parliament, demanding the immediate withdrawal of certain bills that seek to merge the VRA with the Bui Power Authority.
The staff argue that this merger is a thinly veiled attempt to privatize the assets of both state-owned entities, to the detriment of Ghana’s energy security.
Although these bills are yet to be laid before Parliament, the VRA staff are pushing for their complete removal from consideration.
Chairman of the VRA Senior Staff Association Mr. Theophilus Tetteh Ahia, emphasized the gravity of the situation in a recent press briefing.
“The proposed measure is just a ploy to sell off VRA and BUI assets to private interest, and we are demanding that the bills be withdrawn entirely from Parliament.”
Mr. Theophilus Tetteh Ahia Chairman of the VRA Senior Staff Association
According to Mr. Ahia, there had been an agreement with the responsible minister to withdraw the bills.
“In that meeting, he agreed that he’s coming to withdraw the bills, so cogent that he realized that they have to withdraw those bills.”
Mr. Theophilus Tetteh Ahia Chairman of the VRA Senior Staff Association
Yet, days have passed with no sign of the promised withdrawal.
“We have been in the Parliament House for two consecutive days and nothing of that sort has been brought to the floor of Parliament that they are withdrawing that bill.”
That tells us that while we don’t know whether we can say that we do not trust the minister, we hope that he will do the needful to withdraw those bills because they are not to serve the purpose, and also to save Ghanaians from the current situation in which we are.”
Mr. Theophilus Tetteh Ahia Chairman of the VRA Senior Staff Association
Risks to Ghana’s Energy Sector
The VRA senior staff are concerned that the proposed merger and potential asset sale would place a large portion of Ghana’s energy generation into private hands, which could lead to devastating consequences.
“ECG’s bill to the government is almost nearing bankruptcy because we are having a lot of foreign exchange losses.”
Mr. Theophilus Tetteh Ahia Chairman of the VRA Senior Staff Association
He explained that the root of the problem lies not in selling state-owned assets but in finding sustainable solutions to manage the sector.
“If we finish selling, what we mean is that 75% of our energy demand in this country will be in the hands of private people.’’
Mr. Theophilus Tetteh Ahia Chairman of the VRA Senior Staff Association
He pointed out the dangers of such a scenario, particularly if private companies decide not to operate over financial disputes. He noted; “Whenever they get up that we are fed up, we are owing us, they will shut down just like Asogli has done.”
The Efficiency of VRA and Bui Power
Mr. Ahia highlighted the international reputation of the VRA, noting that the authority ranks among the top hydroelectric plants in the world.
“Let me also say that the Volta River Authority is so efficient, It’s well-managed. It is 63 years old. VRA is one of the best hydro-generating plants in the world, out of 350 hydro-generation plants in the world, VRA is ranked third. And that tells you the professionalism that we’ve used to manage it. So, what is the reason they want to [sell]?”
Mr. Theophilus Tetteh Ahia Chairman of the VRA Senior Staff Association
Mr. Ahia also pointed to the strong performance of Bui Power, which has been turning a profit and expanding into new areas of renewable energy generation.
“Bui is also doing very well. Records at CIGA show that for the past three years, Bui is making a profit. They are even breaking new frontiers. They are building more hydro and renewable plants.”
Mr. Theophilus Tetteh Ahia Chairman of the VRA Senior Staff Association
Call to Resist Privatization
Mr. Ahia and the VRA staff have called on the Ghanaian public to join them in resisting the proposed merger and asset sale, which they see as detrimental to the country’s energy independence.
“We are saying that the good people of this country must listen to us. They should support us to resist this measure which is intended to sell the assets of VRA.”
Mr. Theophilus Tetteh Ahia Chairman of the VRA Senior Staff Association
He also stressed the importance of allowing both the VRA and Bui Power Authority to continue their work independently, fostering competition within the sector. Allow Bui also to develop in that line, so that they bring the needed competition into the industry.
The petition by the VRA Senior Staff Association highlights deep concerns about the potential privatization of key energy assets in Ghana.
While a meeting with the minister brought some hope that the controversial bills would be withdrawn, the lack of action in Parliament has left the staff in limbo.
With energy demand and foreign exchange issues already affecting the sector, the proposed merger and asset sale could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s energy security.
The VRA staff are calling on the government and the public to stand with them in resisting these measures and preserving Ghana’s energy independence.
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