The Public Utilities Workers Union (PUWU) has raised serious concerns about the government’s handling of plans to privatize the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), warning that the process is being rushed without adequate stakeholder consultation, to the extent that Cabinet has already approved the Private Sector Participation (PSP) arrangement, even before transparent discussions have taken place with organized labour and other key actors.
Speaking to JoyNews on Friday, April 25, the Deputy General Secretary of PUWU, Reverend Enoch Paul Hayes, said workers are deeply dissatisfied with the lack of transparency surrounding the initiative.
“Workers of ECG are not really happy with the way, especially the committee and the Ministry of Energy is handling this whole issue of the Private Sector Participation (PSP), which we believe that some stakeholders’ engagement from the beginning has been held and the whole of TUC being involved,” he stated.
Reverend Hayes criticized what he described as a “behind closed doors” approach, lamenting that key groups like the union and broader labour front have been sidelined. He pointed to a recent article quoting the Minister of Finance as saying that Cabinet has already approved the PSP arrangement — a move he says caught workers and unions by surprise.
“We heard from an article from the Minister of Finance saying that the cabinet has already approved the PSP, which we believe, as workers and major stakeholders, does not go well with us, because the union and labour front — there supposed to be some level of engagement,” he said.
Red flags have been hoisted at all 92 district offices and 14 regional administrative centers nationwide in a bold and symbolic protest by PUWU members. According to PUWU, these red flags have been raised because of the manner and pace at which the privatization process is unfolding. Reverend Hayes emphasized that the union would not sit idly by as decisions with significant national consequences are made in secrecy.
“We’re sounding a caution. This is the hoisting of the red flag, and we are saying that they should tread very cautiously because why are we in a haste? What is the hurry for? Why are we trying to do things under the carpet? If we really want to do something better for the country, and then for the energy sector, everything should be open, everything should be clear,” he added.
The union’s warning comes as debate intensifies over the future of ECG and the potential impact of privatization on workers, service delivery, and national interests. PUWU says it remains committed to dialogue but insists that any major reforms must be approached with transparency, fairness, and the full involvement of all relevant parties.
