Committee investigates VRA allegations

Accra, May 19, GNA - The Government has set up a Committee to investigate various allegations made against Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby, Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Board.

The Committee is to review matters arising out of workers' agitation, examine the Executive's Pay and Working Hours; the Strategic Reserve Plant (SRP); Operation of the Authority's Provident Fund; Procurement Procedures and the Image of VRA.


The Committee is to submit its report to the Ministry by June 2, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister of Energy, said these at a press conference on Monday.


Dr Nduom said all parties to the issues at VRA had to be given fair hearing in the review.


"Government has not taken any decision to interdict or ask Dr Wereko-Brobby to proceed on leave.


"He would remain in office while the investigations and review goes on."


Dr Nduom said last Tuesday he led a team from the Ministry of Energy to meet representatives of the VRA Board, Management, Senior Staff and Local Union to ensure that an orderly approach was used to deal with Collective Bargaining Negotiation (CBN) and a petition of the workers.

The Minister said at the end of the meeting, the matters discussed were put into three categories: Collective Bargaining Negotiations; Concerns Raised About Technical Operations of VRA and Issues Raised About The Chief Executive And The Board.


He said at the end of the meeting he asked the parties to the CBN to convene immediately to ensure that an agreement was reached on the remaining items. He said the Management also had a new mandate to continue with the negotiations.


Dr Nduom said that he had appointed Opanin Obeng-Fosu, a reti red Chief Labour Officer, to assist the parties with his rich experience and independence to facilitate the early conclusion of the negotiations.


He noted that the parties to the negotiations also agreed that they had not reached a deadlock.


"I have acted in this manner to ensure that the CBN process is not used by any party as a point of disagreement. It is important to note that the negotiations are ongoing. We are not in a deadlock situation."


Dr Nduom said the government had taken serious note of the matters raised about the technical operations of the VRA, the Chief Executive and the Board.

"I wish to stress to all the concerned parties the need to inject a heavy dose of civility into all their activities."


Dr Nduom reiterated that VRA was a strategic asset of the entire nation saying: "Management and Staff have the duty to the people of Ghana to manage this strategic asset with care and competence." He urged the Management to ensure that no worker was victimised or treated unfairly. He also urged workers to go about their duties in a manner that conformed strictly to the rules and regulations of VRA.


The workers had demanded the removal of Dr Wereko-Brobby by May 16.


Mr Ken Sakeyfio, Immediate Past Chairman of the Senior Staff Association and Adviser to the National Executive, said the their decision was based on "mismanagement and lies" that were hallmarks of Dr Wereko-Brobby's administration.


But the Management sprung to his defence saying decisions were collectively made.