The leadership of the staff group at the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) has strongly objected to the appointment of Mr. R.A. Abdul Jalil, Savannah Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as the new Director of Public Affairs for VRA.

In a statement, the group described "the purported appointment" as not only irregular but also a direct threat to the integrity and established operational protocols of VRA, which are governed by the VRA Act 46 and well-defined recruitment processes.

Grounds for Rejection

1. Violation of Recruitment Policies: The staff groups emphasised that the appointment disregards VRA’s long-standing recruitment policies. Managerial and directorate positions at VRA are not filled through government appointments or political influence. "This sets a dangerous precedent and undermines VRA’s professional standards," said a spokesperson.
2. Breach of Senior Staff Conditions and Collective Agreement: The staff groups pointed out that the appointment violates the Senior Staff Conditions of Service and the Collective Agreement between VRA management and the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC). These agreements clearly outline the procedures for managerial and directorate appointments, which have been ignored in this instance.
3. Undermining of Experienced Professionals: The staff groups voiced concerns that the appointment dismisses the skills, competencies, and institutional knowledge of long-serving VRA employees. "This move undermines career progression for staff who have developed the necessary experience over the years," the statement read.

Call for Due Process

The staff leadership has called on the Acting Chief Executive of VRA to resist any pressure to enforce this appointment and to ensure that Mr. Abdul Jalil, if qualified, follows the standard recruitment process and competes fairly for the position.

The staff also appealed to the Honourable Minister of Energy and Green Transition to ensure the immediate withdrawal of the appointment to prevent further disruption to the industrial harmony within VRA.

A Call for Professionalism

The staff groups argued that the role of Director of Public Affairs at VRA requires expertise, experience, and a deep understanding of the energy sector, rather than political affiliation. "VRA is a strategic state institution that supports the nation’s economic and energy security, and we cannot allow political appointments to undermine its credibility," the spokesperson added.

Commitment to Protect VRA’s Integrity

The staff groups have vowed to use all legitimate means to protect VRA and NEDCo from political interference and appointments below the level of the governing board.

"We will stand firm to defend our recruitment policies and ensure that VRA’s professionalism is upheld," they said.

The staff group called on the public, particularly past VRA executives, management staff, and professional associations, to support their efforts to maintain the integrity of the organisation.