On September 18, 2024, staff from the Volta River Authority (VRA) and members of the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) gathered in protest at the VRA headquarters in Accra, voicing their opposition to a controversial merger proposal.
The proposed merger involves combining the VRA with the Bui Power Authority, a move that protesters fear could compromise the authority’s operations.
The draft bill, currently under consideration in Parliament, also outlines a plan to merge the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and to create a new entity called the Thermal Power Authority from VRA’s thermal facilities.
Meanwhile, Theophilus Tetteh Ahia, Chairman of the VRA Senior Staff Association, addressed the crowd, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the bill.
Mr Ahia emphasized concerns over the long-term viability of the VRA if the merger proceeds.
“The focus of our protest is to call for the withdrawal of the bill,” Ahia stated.
“We believe that the VRA’s longstanding role should not be compromised. We are committed to resisting this proposal by all means necessary,” he told Citi News.
Nonetheless, Mr Ahia also noted that the group would continue to seek divine guidance and employ all available strategies to challenge the merger.