The Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Public Utility Workers’ Union of Ghana (PUWU) have maintained that the recent surge in earnings at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) proves the utility can be revived without privatization, provided employees receive adequate backing and management operates under clear, measurable obligations.

Speaking at a joint press briefing organized by PUWU and the TUC on the proposed privatization agenda, TUC General Secretary Joshua Ansah referenced the outcomes of a six-month recovery initiative carried out from July to December 2025.

Data presented by the unions indicate that ECG’s monthly revenue climbed from roughly GH¢900 million to about GH¢1.7 billion within that period, reflecting an increase of almost 90 percent. They contend that this significant improvement shows that inefficiencies and revenue losses can be addressed through internal restructuring rather than transferring control to private entities.

According to the unions, the improved revenue flow has already produced positive ripple effects across the power sector, including timelier payments to electricity generators and greater reliability in supply. This, they noted, has reduced the recurring threats by Independent Power Producers to suspend operations due to outstanding debts.

The TUC and PUWU explained that the gains resulted from a cooperative approach involving workers, ECG management, and the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, with a strong emphasis on boosting revenue collection.

They emphasized that the dedication and expertise of ECG staff played a critical role in the progress made, arguing that these achievements can be maintained and expanded if government strengthens institutional support and ensures strict accountability for management.

The unions warned that the renewed interest in private sector participation overlooks these recent achievements and could undermine a system that is beginning to yield results.

They questioned the rationale behind the state’s willingness to extend guarantees, incentives, and regulatory assurances to private concessionaires, while appearing reluctant to provide similar support to ECG as a publicly owned enterprise. As further evidence, they pointed to developments at the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), where system losses have reportedly declined by around eight percentage points over the last year, demonstrating what can be achieved when workers are empowered and performance benchmarks are well defined.

The TUC and PUWU called for an immediate suspension of all steps toward privatization and urged government to prolong the ongoing turnaround programme, accompanied by more explicit performance targets for management and enhanced regulatory supervision.

They concluded that ECG’s recent financial improvement confirms the company is capable of recovery and, with appropriate support mechanisms, can continue to provide dependable and affordable electricity without being handed over to private operators.