Asuogyaman MP vows to resist privatization of VRA thermal plants alongside agitating staff

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asuogyaman, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, has pledged to stand with agitating staff of the Volta River Authority (VRA) in opposing the government’s plans to privatize VRA’s thermal plants.

The government’s draft bill proposes merging the VRA with the Bui Power Authority, consolidating the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), and creating an independent Thermal Power Authority.

This proposal has sparked strong reactions from VRA staff, leading to protests. Red flags have been posted across VRA offices as a symbol of their resistance.

On Wednesday, both junior and senior staff unions of the VRA in the Aboadze enclave of the Western Region staged a peaceful demonstration to register their opposition to what they describe as the government’s plan to privatize the Authority’s assets.

Speaking to Starr News at his campaign launch in South Senchi, Asuogyaman, on Saturday, September 21, 2024, Thomas Ampem Nyarko expressed his solidarity with the VRA staff.

As the MP for the area where the VRA is located, he shared their concerns and assured them that he would actively resist the government’s privatization agenda.

“I am convinced that VRA has been managed very well by Ghanaians so far, so I don’t believe all the reasons they are giving for the sale of VRA assets. If you come to Akosombo today, you will see red bands everywhere. The workers of VRA are protesting the sale of this national asset, and I, as their representative, will stand by them and fight to resist it so that it never happens,” Nyarko stated.

He continued, “Their intention is to separate the thermal plants from the main Akosombo Hydro Generation and then sell it to themselves. We cannot allow that to happen, so we will resist it.”

The MP also criticized the lack of consultation on the draft bill, saying, “What is worrying is the haste in which they are trying to lay those bills without any consultation. Nobody, absolutely nobody, was consulted. If they have nothing to hide, why would they do this? We have asked them to conduct wide consultations and listen to the people, and they may realize why they should not sell this national treasure.”

During the campaign event preceded by a “24 -hour economy walk” with thousands of supporters, Thomas Ampem Nyarko mentioned several development projects he has spearheaded in health, education, and women’s empowerment during, vocational skills training, in his two terms as MP with his party in opposition.

He urged voters to give him a third term, promising even more development under the next presidency of John Mahama and the NDC in government.

The campaign launch attracted prominent figures, including Members of Parliament and National Democratic Congress (NDC) executives from the national and regional levels.

Various speakers took the opportunity to address the crowd.

Malik Basintale, Deputy National Communications Officer for the NDC, accused the NPP’s parliamentary candidate, Pius Enam Hadzide, of corruption and called him a “candidate for jail.” Basintale referenced Hadzide’s involvement in the Australian visa scandal, stating, “He charged people GH¢105,000 each, and when they got to Australia, they were deported.”

Basintale criticized Hadzide’s lack of development in Asuogyaman despite his role as CEO of the National Youth Authority, adding, “He hasn’t built your roads, provided jobs, or given you water. He doesn’t deserve your support.” Basintale vowed that Hadzide would face legal consequences if the NDC wins power, saying, “If we don’t jail Pius, change my name from Malik Basintale.”

Obuobia Darko -Opoku, a former parliamentary candidate for Weija Gbawe now a member of the NDC communications team assured Ghanaian women that the National Women’s Development Bank that will be established by John Mahama will be used to provide soft loans to boost their businesses.

Touching on the number “8” ballot position picked by John Mahama for the upcoming elections, NDC Deputy National Communications Officer Ako Gunn described it as a sign of divine intervention.