The General Secretary of the Public Utilities Workers Union (PUWU), Michael Nyantakyi, has strongly criticized the actions of the Ashanti Regional Minister against the Regional Manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
According to reports, on April 12, ECG staff from Accra went to Kumasi to carry out a revenue mobilization drive. The drive was aimed at disconnecting individuals or institutions that owed significant amounts of money to the power distributor.
One of the institutions disconnected for owing ECG GH₵1.2 million was the Kumasi Technical University (KTU). After the disconnection, the Ashanti Regional Minister requested ECG to reconnect the school due to public unrest caused by the disconnection. However, the manager insisted that he needed an order from the headquarters or the ministry to do so since his outfit did not lead the exercise.
Subsequently, the Regional Minister instructed the police to detain the ECG manager, who was then made to write an official statement before being granted self-recognizance bail.
Speaking on a radio program, Mr. Nyantakyi condemned the actions of the Regional Minister, stating that it amounted to an abuse of power against a public servant simply carrying out his duties. He emphasized that such behavior should not be tolerated in a democratic society.
Despite the turmoil caused by the incident, some money has been paid, and the school has been reconnected, with plans for the remaining balance to be settled later.
The PUWU General Secretary also mentioned that while the situation created some agitation among ECG staff, calm has since been restored. The Union intends to make a public statement on the issue and denounce any form of harassment or oppression against workers performing their legitimate tasks.
