The Public Utilities Workers’ Union (PUWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has accused the Government of acting in bad faith by appointing a transaction advisor to advance the proposed private sector participation (PSP) in the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) despite ongoing engagements with the Union.
In a press statement issued to the High Street Journal , the Union said the appointment of the transaction advisor contradicted previous discussions with the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, which had requested PUWU to submit alternative proposals to address the operational challenges confronting ECG.
The Union said although it had submitted a comprehensive position paper outlining alternatives to the proposed privatisation of ECG and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), the Ministry had neither acknowledged receipt of the document nor engaged the Union on its recommendations.
Instead, it alleged, government had proceeded with the appointment of a transaction advisor who was actively holding meetings to advance the privatisation agenda.
According to PUWU, the 2026 Budget Statement, presented by the Minister of Finance, reaffirmed government’s intention and timeline to pursue private sector participation in ECG without considering the Union’s proposals.
The Union described the development as a breach of the mutual trust and confidence that had characterised its engagements with the Ministry.
PUWU said its position paper identified political interference in management and procurement, the appointment of non-technical board members, uncoordinated implementation of the Self-Help Electrification Programme (SHEP), foreign exchange losses, the reclassification of bulk customers, and weak accountability across the energy value chain as major challenges affecting ECG and NEDCo.
It said the paper also proposed practical reforms to improve the operational efficiency, financial sustainability and long-term viability of the two state-owned power distribution companies.
The Union argued that previous privatisation efforts in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa had failed to resolve the challenges facing public utilities and, in some cases, had increased costs to consumers, reduced access to essential services, weakened labour protections and undermined national energy security.
It maintained that the solution to ECG’s challenges lay in strengthening governance through the appointment of competent boards and management with clear performance targets, depoliticising management structures and enhancing accountability throughout the electricity supply chain.
PUWU called on the Government and the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition to maintain public ownership and control of ECG and NEDCo, arguing that such an approach would ensure affordable electricity, safeguard jobs, protect national interests and support Ghana’s socio-economic development.
The Union urged government to adopt a comprehensive reform strategy rather than pursuing privatisation as a short-term solution.
It reiterated its strong opposition to any attempt to privatise ECG and NEDCo, either wholly or partially, and said it was prepared, together with other TUC affiliates, to employ all legitimate means to resist any move to transfer ownership or control of the utilities to private interests.
Despite its opposition to the proposed private sector participation, PUWU said it remained willing to work with government and other stakeholders to revitalise ECG, NEDCo and the broader energy sector for the benefit of the country.
