The Ministry of Energy has officially requested that Parliament suspend consideration of the contentious Ghana Energy Regulatory Authority Bill.
The bill proposes the merger of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).
The bill aims to create an independent Thermal Power Authority by consolidating the thermal plants of the Volta River Authority (VRA).
This request was outlined in a press statement from Herbert Krapah, the Minister of State at the Energy Ministry.
The statement urged Parliament to pause further discussions on the bill, saying, “The Ministry respectfully requests Parliament to suspend consideration of the aforementioned Bill to enable us to hold further consultative.”
Staff groups within the Volta River Authority (VRA) have voiced strong opposition to the draft provision in the Ghana Energy Regulatory Authority Bill, which proposes merging the VRA with the Bui Power Authority.
The bill also seeks to consolidate the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and create an independent Thermal Power Authority from VRA’s thermal assets.
In addition to the controversial merger proposals, the Energy Ministry is pushing several other bills, including the Ghana Thermal Authority Bill, Ghana Hydro Authority Bill, Ghana Power Distribution Authority Bill, Ghana Nuclear Power Corporation Bill, and the Ghana Energy Regulatory Authority Bill.
VRA employees argue that these proposed changes could harm both the VRA and the broader energy sector, ultimately not serving the best interests of Ghanaians.
Meanwhile, NEDCo workers have staged a second protest within a month against the bill, opposing the merger of VRA, NEDCo, and ECG.
Speaking to the media in Tamale after their protest march, Emanuel Asare, Chairman of the Northern Area Senior Staff Association, stated that their demonstrations will continue until the government addresses their concerns.