A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammy Darkwah, has called for greater transparency in the government’s engagement with the World Bank over the proposed private sector participation in the operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).
Speaking on Plan B FM’s Nkosuo Nsem with Kofi Sekyi, Mr Darkwah said there was nothing inherently wrong with allowing private sector participation in state institutions, arguing that ECG had enjoyed a monopoly for too long.
However, he stressed that the process must be transparent and properly communicated to Ghanaians.
He also called for workers’ welfare to be made a key consideration in any arrangement, particularly to ensure that employees of ECG and NEDCo do not lose their jobs as a result of the proposed reforms.
According to him, while private sector participation could help improve the operations of the two electricity distribution companies, the government must provide clarity on the nature and scope of the proposed arrangement.
Mr Darkwah questioned why the World Bank representative should be leading the process and called on the government to explain its role and the terms of the proposed private sector participation.
He also accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of hypocrisy, arguing that the party criticised a similar arrangement when it was in opposition during the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration’s attempt to introduce Power Distribution Services (PDS).
He said it was therefore important for the current government to be consistent in its position and communication on the issue.
“Why is the NDC now in bed with the World Bank to privatise ECG and NEDCo when they spoke against a similar exercise under the previous government?” he questioned.
Mr Darkwah urged President John Dramani Mahama and his government to come clean on the process and provide Ghanaians with clear information on what the proposed arrangement entails.
He maintained that Ghanaians deserve transparency, particularly on the future of ECG and NEDCo, the role of private operators and the implications for workers and consumers.
By: Bernard Mensah
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