Workers of Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) have justified their decision to lock the main entrance of the plant in Tema, insisting their actions were driven by concerns over alleged plans involving a private investor.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the Local Union Chairman, Samuel Tetteh Agyemang, said the workers were alarmed by the presence of an investor brought in by the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), accompanied by security personnel.
“What happened was that VALCO workers, out of concern for Ghana and the future of the company, decided to block access to the facility. We believe some things are not being done right, so we prevented entry until our leaders engaged us, after which we allowed them in,” he explained.
He questioned the heavy security presence during the investor’s visit, saying it created fear among workers.
“Who comes to a company with an investor and brings armed military personnel? Ghana is a peaceful country, yet about 20 soldiers and police officers were brought in with guns just to intimidate workers,” he alleged.
Mr Agyemang said workers have been raising concerns since earlier this year but feel they are not being heard by management and relevant authorities.
“We voiced our concerns in January and February about developments in the company, but nobody is listening to us. We are only asking questions and seeking clarity about what is happening,” he said.
He added that the protest was necessary to demand transparency about the future of VALCO.
“If we ask questions and we are ignored, and then we protest, people say we don’t have the right. But we are legitimate stakeholders who are concerned about our jobs and the company’s future,” he stressed.
The comments follow Tuesday’s incident in which VALCO workers locked the plant’s main entrance in protest over alleged attempts to bring in ARK Holdings as part of a potential investment arrangement.
The workers say they were not consulted on any proposed deal, raising fears over job security and the possible future direction of the state-owned smelter.
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