A coalition of civil society organisations and concerned individuals has formally petitioned the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to urge the government to abandon its plans to privatise the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
The petition, spearheaded by groups such as the Moving Africa Pan-Africanist Movement, Ghana in Planet Repairs Action Dialogue (GIPRAD), the African Continental Unity Party (ACUP), and activists from the Convention People’s Party (CPP), was submitted to TUC General Secretary Alhaji Iddrisu Fuseini on January 28.
In their letter, the petitioners outlined their strong opposition to the privatisation plan, encapsulated in a campaign titled “Civic Action Alert: Ghanaian Citizens Against Privatisation of Utility Companies.” They warned that such a move could have far-reaching consequences for public access to essential services and called on the TUC to intervene.
Critics of the privatisation policy have strongly opposed the move, arguing that it would deepen socioeconomic disparities, drive up utility costs, and limit public access to essential services.
In a statement signed by Explo Nathaniel Nani-Kofi, Chairman of the Moving Africa Pan-Africanist Movement, the group cautioned that going ahead with privatising the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) could lead to increased costs for basic utilities, job losses, reduced accountability, and a weakening of national sovereignty.
Rather than selling off the state-owned power distributor, the petitioners urged the government to prioritise anti-corruption reforms, invest in modernisation, and enforce transparent governance measures to sustain ECG’s operations.
They emphasised that publicly managed utilities play a critical role in community development and warned that privatisation could shift the focus from public welfare to profit-making.
Addressing President John Mahama and his administration, the petitioners called for their concerns to be taken seriously, reminding the government that they were exercising their constitutional right to voice their objections.
In response to the debate, the government has formed a seven-member committee to assess the privatisation proposal and recommend the best course of action.
Energy Minister John Jinapor has instructed the newly constituted committee to engage with key stakeholders in the power distribution sector and deliver a detailed roadmap within a month.
Comprising energy experts and industry representatives, the committee has been tasked with formulating strategies for transitioning ECG to private sector management with the goal of enhancing operational efficiency and service delivery.
