Consumers have been denied service at various offices of the Electricity of Company of Ghana (ECG) as the strike declared by workers of the company enters its third day.
The aggrieved workers began a sit-down strike on Wednesday, August 24 to protest a planned privatization of the power distribution company.
Government's $500 million indebtedness which constitutes between 60-70 percent of all ECG’s debts has been identified by the Public Utilities Workers Union (PUWU) as a cause of the company's financial struggles.
Despite its high indebtedness to the company, government has insisted the privatization of the ECG will improve efficiency after persistent public dissatisfaction about the quality of service.
Related: Prepare for a possible ECG privatisation - Prez Mahama
Think tank group, IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, has led calls for privatization of at least 50 percent of the power distribution company.
The group said privatisation would bring about competition in the sector which will, in turn, bring about efficient service.
Related: Privatize more than 50% of ECG – IMANI Boss
But workers of the Company have vehemently opposed this move, fearing it might cause them to lose their jobs after at least five years of the concession.
They believe the privatization is part of a set of conditionalities given government by the United States' Millennium Challenge Corporation.
Some workers at the Koforidua office of ECG
Some consumers who visited the ECG office at Avenor, in Accra were left unattended to while the workers demonstrated outside the premises.
"I have come all the way from Abeka to purchase prepaid credit and I saw them demonstrating outside. I was so surprised and I did not know they were on strike...they have not said anything to me yet and it is frustrating," a dissatisfied consumer told Joy News.
Joy News' correspondents across the regions reported similar incidents at the various regional offices.
One of the workers who spoke with Joy News' Central Regional correspondent, Richard Kojo Nyarko said "This should be the concern of all Ghanaians and not ECG workers alone. I am not fighting for myself alone. Ghanaians should rise up and say no to this move."
Meanwhile, government has expressed shock at the action taken by the workers.
Related: Jinapor accuses ECG workers of breach of trust
Deputy Minister for Power John Jinapor said the grievances of the ECG workers was addressed during a meeting between leaders of the workers' union and the ministry.
Latest Stories
-
CAF Confederation Cup: ‘We want to go there and win’ – Karim Zito on Stade Malian clash
15 mins -
Togbe Adzie Lãkle Howusu XII endorses youth leadership as New Force Movement gains momentum
46 mins -
Public Utility Workers Union appeals to PURC to address power crisis
1 hour -
Anbariya loses another appeal in Kumasi as Appeal Court ratifies High Court ruling against the Islamic Institute
1 hour -
Highway construction health hazard: Ofankor-Pokuase-Nsawam residents appeal for dust relief
2 hours -
SuperJazzClub releases its first single of the year ‘Off’
2 hours -
Methodist Church to lobby Akufo-Addo for expedited assent to anti-LGBTQI+ Bill
2 hours -
Spare health facilities from unplanned ‘dumsor’ – Minority to government
2 hours -
Eritrea Observed World Tuberculosis (TB) Day 2024
2 hours -
Just give us ‘dumsor’ timetable to plan our operations – GMA tells ECG
2 hours -
Parliament petitions Chief Justice for an expedited hearing of cases against anti-LGBTQI+ Bill
3 hours -
The Attorney General vs NDC impasse – why they ‘fight’
3 hours -
High Court orders teacher unions to end strike
3 hours -
‘He worked with all staff irrespective of their status’ – GRA hails Dr Ammishaddai
3 hours -
Zack Orji underwent two brain surgeries; he is fine – Actors Guild of Nigeria President
3 hours