The Senior Staff of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Public Services Workers’ Union of the Trades Union Congress, a division of VRA, have urged Parliament to reject the proposed merger of VRA and Bui Power Authority, which aims to establish the Ghana Hydro Authority.
They argue that the merger of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) into the new “Ghana Power Distribution Authority,” along with the separation of VRA’s thermal assets to create the “Ghana Thermal Authority,” is a deliberate attempt to erase the name “Volta River Authority” and diminish the legacy of its founder, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
At a press conference held in Parliament on October 17, Theophilus Tetteh Ahia, National Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of VRA, stated, “We view these mergers as strategies to undermine the Authority and destabilize electricity pricing in Ghana. Therefore, we oppose the objectives of the mergers as outlined in the Ghana Hydro Authority Bill, 2024.”
The bill proposes to consolidate the hydropower assets of VRA and Bui Power Authority, along with their renewable energy resources, to form the new “Ghana Hydro Authority.”
The objectives behind consolidating the assets of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Bui Power Authority (BPA) are to:
- Enhance operational efficiency.
- Attract private sector investment into state-owned power plants.
- Reduce government financial support.
- Lower the cost of power generation, ultimately decreasing electricity prices for consumers.
However, Mr. Ahia expressed concerns to journalists, stating that these objectives are merely attempts to privatize strategic national assets. He urged the President, Vice President, and the Ministry of Energy to reconsider these proposed bills.
“We also call upon the Honourable Speaker of Parliament and the Parliament of Ghana to reject these bills based on the reasons outlined in this petition,” he added.
According to Mr. Ahia, the staff of VRA and NEDCo, supported by the Ghanaian public, will use all legitimate means to resist the passage of these bills, as mandated by Article 41(f) of the 1992 Constitution, which tasks citizens with protecting public property and combating the misuse of public funds.
The proposed merger includes several bills:
- Ghana Hydro Authority Bill, 2024
- Ghana Thermal Authority Bill, 2024
- Ghana Power Distribution Authority Bill, 2024
- Ghana Nuclear Corporation Bill, 2024
Background
The workers of VRA and NEDCo oppose the bills entirely for several reasons, chief among them being the significance of the name “Volta River Authority.” This name represents a brand and an intangible asset, cultivated over 63 years, and is admired internationally.
The inclusion of “Volta River” in the organization’s name highlights the river’s essential role in power generation and underscores VRA’s responsibility in managing its resources for development.
The “Volta River Authority” is not just a distinctive name; it honors the cultural heritage tied to the Volta River, symbolizing Ghana’s journey from colonial rule to independence and self-reliance—an invaluable legacy that must be preserved.
