Workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) walked out during a speech by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, at the May Day ceremony held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in the region.
According to the ECG staff, this was in protest to the minister’s refusal to apologise after causing the arrest of one of their managers.
Speaking on their behalf, the National Vice Chairman of the ECG Senior Staff Workers Union said that the company would cease all interactions with Mr Osei-Mensah until he apologises and withdraws the case against the general manager.
“As you are aware, we already have an issue with him. He has done something that the workers front are not happy with. Initially, the workers front were demanding that we shouldn’t even appear at all.
“But we think that this is our programme and we need to represent. Since he said he’s not ready to fulfil whatever we asked him to do, we don’t even want to listen to him. So, this is just a peaceful protest that we’re not going to listen to whatever he will say. If he’s done with his speech, we’ll go back,” he said.
READ ALSO: ECG Union Bans 4 Managers From Ashanti REGSEC Meetings
The workers’ union also threatened to disconnect power to the private residence of the Ashanti Regional Minister if it is found that he owes the company.
The ECG staff had earlier prohibited four general managers from attending all Regional Security Council (REGSEC) meetings.
The minister ordered the arrest of Michael Wiafe, the General Manager of ECG’s Ashanti East Office.
His offence was failing to comply with the minister’s orders to reconnect power to the Kumasi Technical University following a disconnection due to the school’s unpaid bills.
Mr Osei-Mensah, responding to their calls for an apology during a press conference in Kumasi on Thursday, April 24, 2024, said he would never show remorse for his actions.
Citing his role as a regional minister, he said he has the authority to undertake security operations.
“Do I have to apologise for doing my security work? What I want to tell you is that I asked the police to invite Ing Mark Asomani Wiafe on security grounds because of the happenings in the electricity sector in the region and the fact that a task force can always come from outside to disconnect without the proper information,” the minister said.
At the press conference, Mr Osei-Mensah also dismissed the claims that some ECG managers are members of the REGSEC.