The Public Utilities Workers Union (PUWU) has expressed disapproval of the charges brought against Ing. Michael Wiafe, the General Manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in Ashanti East, for allegedly causing public unrest by disconnecting power to Kumasi Technical University.
According to reports, the Ashanti Regional Minister reported Ing. Wiafe to the Police after he refused to reconnect power to the university, which owed GH₵600,000. PUWU stated in a press release that the university had been informed of the debt and the consequences of non-payment.
It was revealed that the Vice Chancellor of the university engaged Ing. Wiafe in negotiations for payment terms as they could not afford the 75 percent upfront payment required for reconnection. The Police at Zongo station in the Ashanti region then demanded that Ing. Wiafe make a formal appearance regarding the charges pressed against him by the Regional Minister.
Ing. Wiafe was granted self-recognition bail after providing his statement to the police. PUWU strongly criticized the actions of the Regional Minister, describing them as an abuse of power and a violation of the rights of ECG staff and PUWU members.
The statement from PUWU also highlighted that the ECG has the authority to distribute electricity, collect revenue, issue demand notices, and disconnect customers who fail to pay their bills in line with PURC guidelines.
The Union urged political figures to exercise decorum when dealing with public servants performing their official duties, cautioning against the abuse of power.
