The Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Bernard Owusu, has raised concerns over what he describes as attempts to privatise the Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO) in a manner that may not serve the interest of Ghanaians.
According to him, his position is based on reports from the VALCO Board and discussions he has had with some board members.
He said the information available to him suggests that the current process may not be in the best interest of the country.
“What I am saying is not like I am just talking. I have the reports of the board and what the board has said,” he said.
“Clearly, what they are trying to do with VALCO will not be in the best interest of Ghanaians or Ghana.”
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show, Mr Owusu said although he has not engaged the Ministry or the sector minister directly, he has had discussions with some members of the VALCO Board and intends to engage the relevant authorities.
“I have not spoken to the ministry or the minister, but I have had the opportunity to speak to some of the board members. I will have that engagement with them,” he added.
The TUC Chairman also accused some authorities involved in the process of adopting an anti-union approach, which he believes is making it difficult for workers’ concerns to be properly addressed.
“As I speak today, there is some kind of anti-union activity going on in what they are doing, and that is making it difficult to assess them,” he said.
Mr Owusu said workers and organised labour often face resistance when they raise concerns over national assets, citing previous experiences during the fight over issues involving the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).
“When workers start talking, I can produce some reports or things that have gone on or happened to some of us when we were fighting the TOR issue,” he stated.
“We always become victims, as if we are stepping on the toes of people who just want to get away with what they want, and we become a stumbling block to them.”
He, however, assured that organised labour would continue to defend what it believes is in the interest of ordinary Ghanaians.
“But for God and country, we will stand firm and make sure what is right for the ordinary Ghanaian is protected with the last blood of ours,” he said.
His comments come after the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) dismissed claims that VALCO is being sold to businessman Ibrahim Mahama, describing the allegations as false and misleading.
In a statement signed by GIADEC Chief Executive Officer Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah and issued on Monday, July 27, the corporation said claims circulating in the public domain and attributed to some individuals claiming to be VALCO staff, led by Samuel Watchman Agyeman, had no factual basis.
GIADEC stated that neither Ibrahim Mahama nor any company linked to him had expressed interest in the ongoing process to secure a strategic equity partner for the retooling and modernisation of VALCO.
RELATED:
