The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, has stood his ground and refused to apologise to the Ashanti East General Manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Mr. Michael Asomani-Wiafe, despite calls to do so.
During a press conference in Kumasi, the minister made it clear that he would not issue an apology for simply carrying out his duties as the chairman of the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC).
In response to a question about the demands for an apology, Osei-Mensah asked, “Apologise for doing my work as the chairman of the security authority for the region? I am asking, do I have to apologise for doing my security work?”
He emphasized that neither him nor the regional security council would be deterred from fulfilling their security responsibilities as mandated by the constitution.
Furthermore, the regional minister disclosed that he instructed the police to invite the ECG General Manager for questioning on security grounds, citing concerns about recent developments in the electricity power sector in the region.
The ECG staff in the Ashanti East division had issued a 5-day ultimatum for the minister to apologise for the arrest of the General Manager.
Failure to comply would result in the hoisting of red flags in protest. Subsequently, all ECG offices displayed red flags to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the Minister’s actions.
Moreover, the ECG has threatened to disconnect power supply to institutions in the region that fail to settle their electricity bills promptly.
The ECG Ashanti East Senior Staff Union Chairman, Yussif Usman Abdulai, condemned the minister’s actions as unnecessary and intimidating, stating that the ECG does not take directives from him.
In a show of solidarity, the ECG staff have instructed their four Regional Managers to boycott any meetings called by the Regional Security Council until an apology is issued. They have warned of further protests if the minister continues to refuse to apologise.
The National Vice Chairman of ECG Senior Staff Union, Bismark Adomah, emphasized the importance of institutions paying their bills for the smooth operation of ECG services. He stressed that while they do not enjoy disconnecting power supply, they will take action against those who do not pay their bills.
The situation remains tense as both parties stand their ground, with the ECG staff adamant in their demands for an apology from the Regional Minister.
