Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah, has dismissed calls for his resignation by workers of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), insisting that his actions are firmly grounded in the legal mandate of the Corporation.

According to him, those demanding his removal may not fully understand the obligations and powers granted to GIADEC under the law.

Speaking in an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Wednesday, Mr Ankrah said the accusations of incompetence and mismanagement levelled against him are misplaced.

“I want to believe that whoever made that call may not have paid attention to the GIADEC law, the obligations of GIADEC.

“If the person had paid attention to the obligations of GIADEC under the law, the person would know very well that I am acting well within the obligations outlined in the law for GIADEC," he said.

Mr Ankrah’s comments follow a protest by VALCO workers on Monday, February 9, during which the union demanded his immediate removal.

The workers accused him of refusing to engage stakeholders and described his leadership style as authoritarian, alleging incompetence in the management of the corporation.

However, Mr Ankrah insists his decisions are guided by the broader public interest rather than what he described as “parochial interests” of a select few.

“We have to take the steps that would optimise the public interest, and not just serve certain parochial interests,” he stated.

Mr Ankrah noted that President John Dramani Mahama appointed him to the position and expressed confidence that the President remains satisfied with his performance so far.

He maintained that all decisions taken under his leadership have been within the confines of the law.

Responding to concerns over GIADEC’s strategy to engage international partners, the CEO argued that such steps are consistent with global best commercial practices, particularly in efforts to modernise and sustain struggling companies.

“The law allows GIADEC to go out there and recruit internationally on the principles of international best commercial practices,” he explained.

He questioned why efforts to attract capital and investment into VALCO are being portrayed negatively.

“Is it not a commercially best practice for companies to go out there and drive revenue or drive capital for modernisation and financing?” he asked.

Mr Ankrah added that co-ownership arrangements in exchange for equity are common measures to keep failing enterprises operational.

The GIADEC CEO stressed that the ultimate objective of the corporation’s interventions is to ensure VALCO operates at full capacity, leading to job creation and increased national revenue.

He further argued that boosting VALCO’s output would benefit the country as a whole.

“If VALCO tomorrow is working at full capacity… is it not going to lead to job creation? The answer obviously is yes,” he said.