The Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU) has strongly condemned what it describes as rising public threats and accusations against staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana, following recent power outages in parts of the country.
In a press statement issued on April 27, 2026, the union expressed “grave concern” over what it called an emerging trend of political, state, and social actors calling for the transfer or dismissal of ECG personnel, amid claims that the outages are due to deliberate sabotage.
PUWU rejected these assertions, insisting that the challenges facing electricity supply are rooted in longstanding technical and infrastructural constraints rather than staff misconduct.
“The Union wishes to state categorically that ECG staff are consummate professionals who work tirelessly, often with resource scarcity, yet deliver services to the Company’s valued customers,” the statement said.
According to the union, years of chronic underinvestment in ECG have led to severe shortages of essential equipment such as transformers, poles, and cables, undermining the reliability of the electricity supply nationwide.
It noted that even government officials, including President John Dramani Mahama, have acknowledged these gaps. The union referenced remarks made at the Kwahu Business Forum, where the need for increased investment in the power distribution sector was highlighted. It also pointed to efforts by the Energy Ministry to procure 1,500 transformers to ease pressure on the system.
PUWU further cited region-specific challenges to underscore its position. In the Ashanti Region, it said persistent outages are linked to demand exceeding the capacity of the three existing Bulk Supply Points (BSPs), with a proposed fourth facility yet to be completed.
Similarly, in the Volta and Oti Regions, the union indicated that electricity demand has outgrown the capacity of the existing 69kV transmission lines, leading to voltage fluctuations and frequent outages. It called for an upgrade to 161kV lines to stabilise supply in those areas.
“These are clearly infrastructure deficits which need government support and are not the fault of technically competent ECG staff as is being insinuated,” the statement stressed.
The union also raised alarm over what it described as dangerous rhetoric targeting specific ECG employees, including allegations branding some as saboteurs without evidence. It warned that such claims expose staff to potential attacks, especially as they often work in communities under challenging conditions.
“These threats create disquiet among staff, undermine morale and disrupt industrial harmony,” PUWU said, adding that it would take decisive action to protect the safety and dignity of its members.
The union called on political actors and the public to refrain from making disparaging remarks and instead use established corporate channels to address concerns about staff conduct.
It further vowed to resist any form of political interference in the professional operations of ECG, reaffirming its commitment to upholding the integrity and professionalism of its members.
