I haven’t sacked ECG boss – Mahama

President John Mahama has said he has not sacked the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), William Hutton-Mensah.

He told Paul Adom Otchere in a pre-recorded interview scheduled for airplay on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana programme on Thursday that: “I don’t know where that is coming from. He hasn’t been sacked.”

A statement signed by the Chief of Staff, Prosper Bani, on Friday November 21, 2014 said the former MD, who is on his annual leave, should report to the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum for re-assignment while Robert Dwamena takes over as acting MD.

Dwamena, who until his appointment was Director of Procurements at the ECG, started his career with the Engineering Directorate of the Company in 1982.

In the statement, President Mahama also asked the Omanhene of Abeadze and President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII, to act as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ECG.

“It follows the resignation of Tony Oteng Gyasi on health grounds,” the statement said.

Ghanaians are generally frustrated due to unscheduled blackouts throughout the country. Businesses are the worst hit as some places can be without power for well over 48 hours and enjoy power for just 12 hours or a little more in a day. Consumers have been complaining about their home appliances getting damaged as a result of the unreliable supply of power.

Staff of ECG in eight of the 10 Regions in the country went on a demonstration to demand the immediate reinstatement of Hutton-Mensah by President Mahama. They threatened a nationwide strike if the President does not accede to their demand.