The Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Public Utility Workers’ Union of Ghana (PUWU) have argued that the recent surge in revenue at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) proves the utility can be successfully restructured without privatization, provided workers are supported and management is held to clear, enforceable performance targets.

Addressing a press conference organised by PUWU in collaboration with the TUC on the proposed privatization of ECG, TUC General Secretary Joshua Ansah highlighted the outcome of a six-month turnaround programme implemented between July and December 2025.

According to the unions, ECG’s average monthly revenue increased sharply from about GH¢900 million to approximately GH¢1.7 billion during the period—an almost 90 per cent rise within six months.

They said the figures demonstrate that long-standing revenue leakages can be addressed and operational efficiency improved through internal reforms, rather than transferring control of the company to private operators.

The unions noted that the revenue gains have already produced tangible benefits across the power sector, including more regular payments to power producers and improved electricity supply stability. They said the improved cash flow has reduced the frequent threats by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to shut down plants over unpaid arrears.

According to the TUC and PUWU, the turnaround was achieved through a collaborative approach involving ECG workers, management, and the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, with revenue mobilisation as the central focus.

They stressed that the dedication and professionalism of ECG staff were critical to the gains recorded, adding that similar progress could be sustained and expanded if government deepens structural support for the utility and strengthens accountability at the management level.

The unions cautioned that the renewed push for privatization overlooks this recent progress and risks dismantling reforms that are beginning to yield results. They questioned why government would be willing to provide guarantees, incentives and policy stability to private concessionaires, while hesitating to extend similar support to ECG under public ownership.

As further evidence, the unions cited improvements at the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), where losses have reportedly declined by about eight percentage points over the past year, attributing the gains to worker empowerment and clearly defined performance targets.

The TUC and PUWU called for an immediate suspension of all privatization-related processes and urged government to extend the current turnaround programme, backed by stronger regulatory oversight and clearer management deliverables.

They maintained that ECG’s recent revenue performance shows the utility is not beyond repair and can deliver reliable and affordable electricity under public ownership if given the necessary institutional support.