I disagree with Otumfuo’s Suggestion to privatise ECG, VRA, GRIDCo – Edward Bawa

The Member of Parliament for BONGO Constituency in the Upper East Region, Edward Bawa, has expressed disagreement with the suggestion made by the Asantehene to diversify the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Volta River Authority (VRA), and the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo).

He believes that entrusting the power sector to private individuals would be extremely risky and potentially harmful.

In an interview on the Key Points on TV3 on Saturday, April 20, Hon Bawa said, “I respectfully disagree with Otumfuo, that would be suicidal, there is no country that would do that. GRIDCo can’t be given to the private sector.

“Let us not contemplate making the private sector control our power system, that will be suicidal.”

The Asantehene justified his proposal by stating that privatizing these institutions would enhance their efficiency and effectiveness.

During the commissioning of a 430-kilometer natural gas pipeline by Genser Energy in Kumasi on Wednesday, April 17, he emphasized, “The government needs to acknowledge that establishing companies without private sector involvement is not viable, it’s not effective.”

“The government should concentrate on policies and involve the private sector and you can attract more investors into the country which will create more employment.

“VRA and others are all government establishments, let’s give it out and diversify them into the private sector and get more money there and get the right people to do it. GRIDCo and others let’s give them the money and get the qualified people, diverse government from it, and let them work.

“Electricity Company is in a situation where we don’t know, but that also must be diversified and given to the private sector.

“Why are we still holding on when we don’t have the money? We’re not able to collect all the taxes we want, we’re going to IMF and all those for money. We’re hanging onto industries we cannot maintain and run.”

He added “It’s about time we face reality and decide on what government should be doing and what the private sector should be doing. This is a testimony of the private sector, and they were able to attract investors.”