Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaian workers that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) will not be privatised. The President addressed concerns regarding the future of the ECG in his May Day speech at the Blackstar Square in Accra, highlighting the need for drastic measures to prevent the collapse of the power sector, which is under significant financial strain due to mismanagement over the last eight years.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama emphasized that the ECG’s financial woes, with debts amounting to GHS68 billion, necessitate improvements in the efficiency of power distribution. However, he reassured the public that privatisation is not the solution. “Let me assure you that it is not my intention to privatise the ECG as an institution,” he stated, advocating instead for a public-private partnership to enhance efficiency.
The President cited the example of Enclave Power, a private company that manages metering and billing in the Free Zones Enclave, while the ECG supplies power in bulk. He noted that this partnership has resulted in a 99 percent revenue collection rate. “This is an existing example and I am sure that we can make our electricity distribution more efficient through public-private partnership,” he added.
President Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to not privatising the ECG, underscoring the government’s appreciation for the contributions of Ghanaian workers and the collective mission to build a better future. “The work ahead is great but so is the strength of the Ghanaian worker. And with that strength, there is nothing we cannot achieve,” he declared.
In support of the President’s address, Mr Joshua Ansah, Secretary-General of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), praised President Mahama’s recent electoral victory, viewing it as evidence of public confidence in his leadership. He emphasized the importance of this year’s May Day theme, “Resetting Pay and Working Conditions in Ghana – The Role of Stakeholders,” as a call for transformation in valuing labour and shaping the future of work and welfare.
Mr Ansah expressed confidence in President Mahama’s commitment to social dialogue and inclusive governance, anticipating renewed attention and reforms in the labour sector that align with fairness and social justice.
