By: Gloria Amoh
Staff groups of the Volta River Authority (VRA) have expressed strong opposition to a draft bill that proposes merging the VRA with the Bui Power Authority. The bill also aims to consolidate 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.
The workers argue that “the Volta River Authority was established for the people, not to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.”
They further highlight an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between VRA and NEDCo, which guarantees ongoing support in terms of power supply and infrastructure expansion. However, this MoU has expired, and despite the need for renewal, VRA management has shown no interest in extending the agreement, leaving NEDCo’s future support in question.
The merger plan doesn’t just involve hydro dams. Other legislative proposals from the Energy Ministry include the Ghana Thermal Authority Bill, the Ghana Hydro Authority Bill, the Ghana Power Distribution Authority Bill, the Ghana Nuclear Power Corporation Bill, and the Ghana Energy Regulatory Authority Bill.
VRA workers believe these sweeping changes could be detrimental to the VRA and the nation, arguing that the proposed reforms are not in the best interest of the Ghanaian people and could have severe long-term consequences.
Find Statement Here
