Staff groups at the Volta River Authority (VRA) have decided to temporarily suspend certain protest actions, pending a full withdrawal of the contentious energy sector bills.

The pause comes in response to a recent request from the Ministry of Energy, which has asked Parliament to halt its consideration of the proposed legislation.

The VRA staff have been vocal in their opposition to a potential merger involving the VRA, the Bui Power Authority, Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The staff groups argue that the proposed merger would lead to the creation of a new entity that could be privatized in the future, a move they believe would compromise the stability and autonomy of Ghana’s power sector.

Concerns have grown within the VRA, particularly over what staff view as a lack of transparent communication from the Ministry of Energy regarding the purpose and intended outcomes of the merger.

The VRA staff groups expressed their disappointment, stating that the Ministry had failed to adequately consult or communicate with them before moving forward with the legislation.

On October 29, the VRA staff groups issued a formal statement to the Minister of Energy, indicating their decision to partially suspend their protest actions in light of the Ministry’s recent request to Parliament.

Despite the pause in demonstrations, VRA staff remain committed to their responsibilities and have assured the public that essential services will continue uninterrupted.

However, they emphasised that their suspension of actions is conditional on the Ministry’s compliance with their request for a complete withdrawal of the energy sector bills.

“Although we are not copied, to remain true to our promise, and in commitment to the essential services that we provide, and in respect for your office, we write to notify you that we are partially suspending some of our actions, we write to notify you that we are partially suspending some of our actions, awaiting the total withdrawal of the bills.”