Calm Returns To VALCO As Management Takes Steps To Restore Full Operations

Calm has been restored at the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) following a successful meeting held between the Senior Management of VALCO, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and leadership of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) together with VALCO local union executives regarding recent developments that attracted some media attention.

The Ghana Report learned that the parties have agreed to return to the negotiating table to continue and complete their Wage negotiations.

The leadership of all the key stakeholders, including the CEO of VALCO, Mr Dan Acheampong; Director of HR and Administration at VALCO, Mr Festus Quaidoo; CEO of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), Mr Michael Ansah; General Secretary for ICU Mr Morgan Ayawine; and Chairman of the local union, Mr Edgar Tetteh; at their meeting on Monday, November 7, 2022, signed an undertaking to demonstrate their commitment to the process and lend their full support towards ensuring the resumption of full operations at VALCO.

VALCO, in recent weeks, has dominated the media space following labour agitations by some workers who refused some Management Members entry into the facility, a situation that disrupted operations and led to a planned shutdown of the Aluminium Smelter.

In a press statement, VALCO Management noted that in line with the board’s directive, they worked with the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) to take down the power to the operating line in an orderly fashion to save the smelter in order to allow for a smooth restart.

With calm restored at VALCO, all employees at the facility are expected to be called in to resume work as their leadership continues the wage negotiation process with the declared objective of an amicable settlement.