Staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in the Ashanti Region have raised concerns about what they see as unwarranted interference in their operations by the regional minister, Simon Osei-Mensah.
The controversy arose following the arrest of ECG’s General Manager, Michael Wiafe, prompted by a complaint from the minister.
The dispute stemmed from Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) being disconnected from the national grid due to an alleged GH¢1.2 million outstanding debt.
Minister Osei-Mensah asserted that he had instructed ECG to notify him before disconnecting power to public universities.
Feeling this protocol was disregarded in the case of KsTU, he filed a complaint, resulting in the General Manager’s detention.
In response, ECG staff, represented by the Senior and Junior Staff Unions, issued a statement rejecting the minister’s authority over their activities.
They clarified that ECG does not report to him nor does it take directives from him on revenue mobilization and collection.
The staff demanded an apology from Minister Osei-Mensah to the General Manager and ECG as a whole.
They also called for the withdrawal of the case against Mr Wiafe from the police station by Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
Failure to meet these demands would result in a protest by ECG staff in the Ashanti Region. They pledged to hoist red flags and wear red attire on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, to demonstrate their dissatisfaction.
“We the Senior Staff Union and the Junior Staff Union of the four (4) Regions of Ashanti are registering our displeasure about the actions of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Simon Osei Mensah over the way he spoke to the General Manager/Ashanti East, Ing. Mark Wiafe Asumani over the disconnection of Power Supply to the Kumasi Technical University.
“His report to be the Zongo Police Station, the subsequent arrest of the General Manager, and he (GM) being granted a self-recognizance bail.
“…We want the Regional Minister to know that ECG does not report to him and does not take instructions from him on all of its activities including Revenue Mobilization/Collection,” part of the press statement said.
The staff urged the public to disregard the minister’s actions and ensure timely payment of electricity bills to maintain uninterrupted power supply.