General Secretary of the Public Utilities Workers Union (PUWU), Michael Nyantakyi, has described as unconscionable the actions of the Ashanti Regional Minister against the Regional Manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

On April 12, staff of ECG moved from Accra to Kumasi and carried out a revenue mobilisation drive. The drive mandated that individuals or institutions owing substantial amounts of money were disconnected from the national grid.

The Kumasi Technical University (KTU) was among institutions disconnected for owing the power distributor an amount of GH₵1.2 million.

According to Mr Nyantakyi, following the disconnection, the Ashanti Regional Minister requested that the ECG reconnect the school, as the disconnection caused some public unrest. However, the manager told the minister that he could not grant his request unless he had an order from the headquarters or the ministry since his outfit had not led the exercise.

The Regional Minister then asked the police to detain the manager of the power company. The police then had him write an official statement, and subsequently granted self-recognisance bail.

Speaking on JoyFM's Top Story on April 15, the General Secretary of PUWU said these actions are seen as an abuse of power, especially when these individuals are performing their legitimate duties.

“It is most unfortunate for a political authority, a whole regional minister, to take such an action against a public servant who is doing his legitimate job, and even in a situation where he is not the one who had even caused the power to be disconnected. We think such a situation should not be countenanced. It is a clear case of abuse of power and we strongly condemn this kind of act by political officeholders.

“We intend to make a public statement on this issue and we think that such an act should not be countenanced especially with a democracy where people are doing their legitimate work. They should not be harassed and oppressed in this kind of manner.

“He has committed no offence for which he has to be asked to make a formal statement and to be given or granted a bail whether on self-recognisance, we think this is an assault to the whole workers of the ECG. We strongly condemn it.”

Again, Mr Nyantakyi added that although the situation has caused a bit of agitation among staff of ECG, it has managed to restore some calm.

Meanwhile, some amount of money has been paid, and the school has been reconnected, with the balance scheduled for later payment.