VRA staff on why they don't support Bui Power Authority merger

The Senior Staff Association of the Volta River Authority (VRA) says they are opposed to a planned merger of VRA with the Bui Power Authority (BPA). 

According to the workers, they are aware of a draft bill that is proposing the merger of the two power producing companies and a consolidation of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and create an independent Thermal Power Authority by separating VRA’s thermal plants.

In a radio interview, The local chairman of the VRA Senior Staff Association, Theophilus Tetteh Ahia, said the group will use all legal means to stop the “controversial plan”.

Speaking to Accra based Citi FM on Wednesday [September 4, 2024], Mr. Ahia expressed strong opposition to the proposal, stressing that “the Volta River Authority was established for the people, not to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.”

He argued that the sale of VRA's thermal power plants would not be in the best interest of Ghanaians.

"We are Ghanaians, and we are major stakeholders in this..., we are going to use all legitimate forces within our means, all the legal processes that we have to ensure that Ghanaians are not shortchanged,",he said.

The VRA Senior Staff Association, along with other worker groups, have raised concerns over the lack of consultation with key stakeholders, including the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on the issue. 

Their resistance marks a growing pushback against what they describe as a move that could "sell off" vital national assets to private interests at the expense of the public good.