Officials from the Ghanaian government and leaders of the Public Utilities Workers Union (PUWU) are set to meet on Monday, September 28, 2026, to discuss a proposal for private-sector participation in the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo). This meeting provides a formal platform for PUWU to express its objections and alternative proposals regarding the plan. The union has declared its opposition to the arrangement, arguing that ECG's recent gains in revenue mobilisation demonstrate its potential for improvement under state control.
PUWU has maintained that ECG's persistent challenges can be resolved through further investment and institutional support from the government, eliminating the need for private operators. The union has also served notice of its intention to protest the proposed arrangement if the government proceeds with its plans. This stance follows an earlier report on ECG unions setting a nationwide strike date of September 29 over the privatisation plan. The meeting on Monday is an attempt to resolve the issue through dialogue rather than industrial action.
The government has insisted that the consultation process must consider all options before making a final decision. A transaction adviser has been appointed to engage workers and other stakeholders as part of a wider assessment. The adviser is expected to submit a report that will guide the government's eventual decision on the reforms or alternative approaches to fixing the utilities. Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, stated that the government understands and shares the union's concerns but wants the process to run its full course.
Gyan-Mensah added that PUWU would remain involved throughout the process and that the improvements workers have reported in revenue collection would be given proper consideration. He also noted that not all avenues had yet been exhausted ahead of any rollout of the plan. The government's consideration of PUWU's concerns and alternative proposals will be crucial in determining the next steps.
ECG and NEDCo distribute electricity to millions of homes, offices, factories, and shops across Ghana. Any changes to their operations will have direct consequences for power supply reliability, billing systems, and pricing. The outcome of the meeting and the government's final decision will significantly impact Ghanaian consumers and businesses.
The meeting between the government and PUWU is a critical step in resolving the impasse over the privatisation plan. The union's threatened protest and the government's insistence on considering all options have created a sense of uncertainty. The transaction adviser's report and the government's final decision will determine the future of ECG and NEDCo.
The issue has significant implications for Ghana's energy sector, and all parties involved will be watching the developments closely. The government's handling of the situation will be crucial in determining the level of support from workers, consumers, and businesses. The final decision will shape the future of ECG and NEDCo and have a lasting impact on Ghana's energy landscape.
Key points
- The meeting between Ghana's government and PUWU aims to resolve the impasse over private-sector participation in ECG and NEDCo.
- PUWU opposes the privatisation plan, arguing that ECG can be improved through state control and investment.
- The government's final decision will have significant implications for Ghana's energy sector and consumers.
