The staff of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) have rejected an attempt by the government to merge key state energy assets. In the case of the two main state-owned hydroelectric dams, Bui Power Authority (BPA) and VRA, the government wanted to merge the two entities to form the Ghana Hydro Authority; Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and NEDCo to be merged to form Ghana Power Distribution Authority, and separate VRA’s thermal assets to create Ghana Thermal Authority. Draft Bills on the proposed merger were arrested in Parliament on September 3 by Ahmed Ibrahim (MP, Banda) citing concern of lack of stakeholder engagement by the government especially in communities where Bui dam is sited.

These proposed mergers have drawn the ire and condemnation of VRA and NEDCo workers who have taken to the streets across the country in protests against the government’s plan. According to them, their opposition is premised on many factors key amongst them is the fact that the name Volta River Authority is a brand and an intangible asset, a goodwill nurtured for over 63 years, and the envy of many countries across the globe. Furthermore, in a statement issued by the staff, VRA apart from its distinct and memorable name honours the cultural significance of the Volta River that is deeply rooted in Ghanaian heritage and a legacy of Ghana’s evolution from colonial rule to an independent state, aiming for industrial and economic self-reliance which must not be lost.

Meanwhile, reports say Ministry of Energy has made a request to Parliament to ‘suspend’ the Ghana Energy Regulatory Authority Bill, which seeks to merge the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and Energy Commission. They quote Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy, Herbert Krapah, who issued a press release urging the House to pause consideration of the aforementioned Bill that has not officially been laid in Parliament to enable his outfit hold further consultation.

The controversial proposed legislations are: Ghana Thermal Authority Bill, 2024; Ghana Hydro Authority Bill, 2024; Ghana Power Distribution Authority Bill, 2024; Ghana Nuclear Power Corporation Bill, 2024; and Ghana Energy Regulatory Authority Bill, 2024.

The group has however called on the President of Ghana, the Vice President and the Ministry of Energy to abandon the proposed bills as they are nothing but attempts to sell strategic national assets to private individuals and political actors.