The Public Utilities Workers Union (PUWU) has criticised the government's decision to appoint a transaction adviser to facilitate private-sector participation in the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).

The union says the move amounts to a breach of the mutual trust and confidence that has characterised its engagements with the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition.

In a statement dated 3 August 2026 and signed by its General Secretary, Timothy Nyam, PUWU said its last interaction with the ministry was to submit an alternative proposal to private-sector participation in ECG.

The union said it had submitted a detailed position paper on the proposed privatisation of ECG and NEDCo, but the ministry was yet to acknowledge receipt.

It said the government had meanwhile appointed a transaction adviser who was actively holding meetings and advancing what PUWU described as the government's privatisation agenda.

PUWU also said the Finance Minister's budget statement had reaffirmed government's intention and timelines to privatise ECG, without considering the representation and position paper submitted by the union.

Union's concerns

PUWU said its position paper highlighted several challenges affecting ECG and NEDCo.

These include political interference in management and procurement processes, the appointment of non-technical board members, uncoordinated activities under the Self-Help Electrification Programme, foreign exchange losses, the recent reclassification of bulk customers, and what it described as a lack of accountability and transparency across the energy supply chain.

The union said it had proposed practical solutions aimed at improving the operational efficiency, financial viability and long-term sustainability of the two state-owned utilities.

It called for competent boards of directors and managing directors with clearly defined performance targets, the depoliticisation of management structures and greater accountability throughout the energy value chain.

PUWU rejects privatisation

PUWU said historical shortcomings of privatisation efforts in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa showed that transferring public utilities such as ECG and NEDCo to private investors in the name of private-sector participation could worsen existing inefficiencies.

According to the union, such arrangements could increase costs to consumers, reduce access to essential services and undermine national sovereignty, employment, labour rights and energy security.

PUWU is therefore calling for ECG and NEDCo to remain under public ownership and control.

The union says this would help guarantee affordable and equitable access to electricity, preserve national sovereignty, protect jobs and support broader socio-economic development.

Rather than pursuing privatisation as a quick-fix solution, PUWU is calling for a comprehensive reform strategy to strengthen the two utilities.

It has reiterated its strongest opposition to any attempt to privatise ECG and NEDCo, either wholly or in part.

The union said that, together with affiliates of the Trades Union Congress, it was prepared to mobilise "every legitimate means" to resist any policy seeking to transfer ownership or control of the strategic national assets to private interests.

Despite its opposition to privatisation, PUWU said it remained ready to partner the government and other relevant stakeholders to revitalise ECG, NEDCo and the wider energy sector for the benefit of Ghana and Ghanaians.