Opposition to the planned privatisation of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG)

Opposition to the planned privatisation of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) by the powerful Trades Union Congress, and a legal challenge, forces the Millennium Development Authority to postpone a conference with bidders interested in the system. “The TUC in a strong worded letter to the Flagstaff House, accused MiDA of betraying the Union by going ahead to announce a planned Builders Conference when grievances by workers of ECG are being addressed. The TUC warned that in line with a resolution passed at TUC’s 10th Quadrennial Delegates Congress held in August 2016 at KNUST, it will resist any attempt to privatise the ECG. The TUC in the letter further impressed on government to stop MiDA from going ahead with the Bidders’ Conference and to ensure that prompt measures are taken to consider the options proposed by the Union. According to the TUC, MiDA’s action is a demonstration of bad faith since deliberations with the Public Utility Workers’ Union (PUWU) of TUC who are opposed to the privatisation has not concluded its work.” Modern Ghana columnist Lord Aikins Adusei has reviewed the history of privatisation in Ghana, comparing it to similar bad experiences in Australia and the United Kingdom. “The examples from Australia and United Kingdom indicate that privatising ECG could deepen socio-economic inequality because affordability rather than access and needs will be the rule.”