ECG Manging Director outlines his vision

Accra, Feb. 25. GNA- Mr Stephen Akuoko, Acting Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Limited, has said the company could be established "as a profitable company of choice," where investors would like to put in money without fear.

He said in the long-term, the vision is to make the company attractive enough for government to feel bold to go public and be listed on the Stock Exchange to raise money to finance investments being yearned for.

Mr Akuoko was speaking to workers of the ECG in Accra on Tuesday as part of his District and Regional tour to offices of the Company. Currently, Mr Akuoko said, the Northern Electrification Division (NED) of the Volta River Authority is to re-merge with the ECG. The NED was in-charge with power distribution in the Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and West Regions.

As part of the ECG sector reform programme, Mr Akuoko said, the management could also bid as management contractors, saying that the crucial issue is to demonstrate the ability to convince government that, "we are eligible and should be included in the list of potential contractors".

Mr Akuoko said the listing on the Stock Exchange calls for a change of the corporate culture, timely provision of information, quality customer care and effective cost management.

He said Management will put in place "Performance related Pay system" under which remuneration would depend on one's effective output and contribution to the wealth creation of the company. Mr Akuoko therefore, charged first line supervisors and middle level management to take the performance appraisal and target setting programme seriously.

Alhaji Bawa Salifu, Deputy General Secretary of the Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), also said the Union associates itself entirely with the vision and direction of ECG. He said an organization must be viable, resourceful and sustainable before workers are unionised and it is under such conditions that their leaders would be able to negotiate for improved conditions of service.

Therefore, Alhaji Bawa said the Union will never condone acts of indiscipline, including illegal connection, laziness, drunkenness at work, malingering and others that seeks to draw back the clock of progress.

He said it is the responsibility of Union leadership to protect Members, which cannot happen in a vacuum but through workers' hard work, diligence and dedication work. Alhaji Bawa said the PUWU will continue to educate the entire workers to be productive, law abiding and efficient.