The Staff Groups of the Volta River Authority (VRA) have voiced strong opposition to a proposed draft bill that seeks to merge VRA with the Bui Power Authority, consolidate the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), and create an independent Thermal Power Authority from VRA's thermal plants.

The staff argue that these changes are detrimental to the interests of Ghanaians and could have serious repercussions for both the VRA and the country.

They emphasise that such restructuring could compromise VRA's vital contributions to the national grid and overall energy security.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, the staff groups recalled a meeting with the VRA Board Chairman in May 2024, during which they were assured that there were no plans to privatize the Authority's Thermal Assets.

However, recent reports about the proposed bills have sparked concern among the staff, who feel sidelined in the decision-making process.

They also pointed out that at a Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting on August 29, 2024, VRA management acknowledged participating in a Technical Committee that developed a report for the Ministry of Energy, suggesting VRA become a Holding Company.

Despite this involvement, there has been no formal communication about the mergers or the creation of a Thermal Power Authority.

The staff groups believe that these proposed actions are a prelude to privatizing the Thermal Department, facilitating the transfer of valuable national assets to private interests.

They argue that VRA was established to generate electrical power from multiple sources, not just hydro and that limiting its operations could lead to its eventual collapse.

The VRA staff are calling for urgent action to address these concerns and ensure that the interests of both Ghanaians and the VRA are safeguarded. "The Volta River Authority was built for the people and not the highest bidder.

There is an existing Memorandum of Understanding between VRA and NEDCo that guarantees VRA's continuous support in terms of power supply and the expansion of other infrastructure.

The MOU has expired, requiring renewal, but management has been rendered powerless and has no interest in the renewal to guarantee continuous support to NEDCo for no apparent reason." They further warned that "The support VRA gives to NEDCo is to ensure that our brothers and sisters in the NEDCo catchment areas of the country enjoy electricity consistently without any hindrance.

The separation of NEDCo from VRA can affect the supply of power and cash inflows for VRA since ECG is not consistent with its payment obligations to VRA.

We see this attempt as 'A GRAND SCHEME TO SELL VRA ASSETS TO CRONIES.'" "The Staff of VRA, with the support of Ghanaians, shall fearlessly resist and use all legitimate means at our disposal to ensure that the people of Ghana are not robbed of affordable electric power and energy security under the guise of mergers and privatization," the statement concluded.