PUWU postpones protests over private sector role in ECG and NEDCo

The Public Utilities Workers’ Union (PUWU) has postponed a planned nationwide protest against proposed private sector participation (PSP) in the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).

The postponement follows consultations between PUWU and the Ministry of Energy. During these meetings, the union intends to present concerns, proposals, and alternative measures to improve the financial and operational performance of the state-owned distributors. PUWU argues that recent improvements in ECG’s revenue mobilization demonstrate that the company can be rehabilitated through continued government support and institutional investment rather than private involvement.

Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, stated that the government understands the union's concerns and intends to keep them involved throughout the assessment process. A transaction adviser is currently engaging stakeholders, including workers, civil society, and Parliament, to submit a report that will guide the government’s final decision on the proposed reforms.