The Public Utilities Workers’ Union (PUWU) has mounted a strong defence of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), warning that any attempt to transfer the state-owned utility into private hands will be firmly resisted by workers.
Speaking during this year’s May Day celebrations on the theme “Unity and Resilience – Defending Public Utilities and Workers’ Rights,” PUWU General Secretary Timothy Nyame said ECG workers have demonstrated that public institutions can be efficient when properly managed.
He praised employees of the power distributor for maintaining electricity supply across the country despite operational and financial constraints, describing their role as essential to national development.
“Through storms, system challenges, and long hours, you have ensured reliable electricity supply to homes, hospitals, schools and industries. Your work is the backbone of Ghana’s development,” he said.
Mr Nyame pointed to recent internal reforms within ECG, arguing that improvements in management and operational strategy introduced in 2025 significantly strengthened the utility’s performance. According to him, monthly revenue reportedly rose from about GH¢9 million to nearly GH¢2 billion, alongside reduced system losses and improved stability in supply.
He said these developments prove that public ownership, when effectively managed, can deliver results comparable to or better than private models.
Despite this, he raised alarm over what he described as increasing pressure from international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank for Ghana to consider privatising ECG.
Mr Nyame warned that such moves would undermine earlier assurances attributed to former President John Dramani Mahama that ECG would remain under state control.
“We will resist every attempt by government to privatise ECG in part or whole or to further cede its operations to private interests,” he declared.
He stressed that electricity is a strategic national service that must remain publicly owned to ensure accountability and protect national interest. While acknowledging the presence of private actors in areas such as power generation, billing, and metering, he argued that core distribution functions should remain in state hands.
Calling for unity among workers, Mr Nyame urged vigilance in defending ECG’s future, insisting that fragmentation or privatisation would weaken the sector rather than strengthen it.
The remarks were delivered as part of activities marking International Workers’ Day, observed annually on May 1 to highlight the role of workers in national development.
