The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU-Ghana) has protested against what it believes is a plan to sell the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), warning that any change in ownership could put workers’ jobs at risk.
The protest comes after months of concerns from some VALCO employees, who have alleged since January 2026 that authorities are preparing the company for sale.
The workers have also called for the removal of the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah.
Although the GIADEC CEO has repeatedly denied that VALCO is being sold, the ICU says those assurances have failed to ease its concerns.
GIADEC has maintained that it is working towards a co-ownership arrangement with a private sector investor, rather than an outright sale of the state-owned aluminium company.
Speaking to protesters on Monday, July 27, ICU-Ghana General Secretary Morgan Ayawine said the demonstration was intended to protect jobs and preserve VALCO as an important national asset.
“July 27, 2026, is a great day. It is a day for the determination of our destiny as patriotic citizens of this country. We are here to determine the fate of one of the premier companies that was bequeathed by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to all of us,” he said.
Mr Ayawine accused successive governments of attempting to dispose of state-owned companies and cautioned against any similar move involving VALCO.
“It has been noticed that over the years, government after government has attempted to sell everything, and now they are at it again, and they want to sell VALCO.
“We are not here to do politics. We are not partisan politicians. We are labour unions, and our duty is to ensure that jobs are created,” he stated.
The ICU says it will continue to oppose any arrangement that it believes could threaten workers’ livelihoods or weaken Ghana’s control over the strategic company.
