President Mahama Pushes For More Stakeholder Engagement In ECG Takeover

The President, John Dramani Mahama, is proposing an increased stakeholder engagement, following the entry into force of the Ghana Compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

The second compact, worth $498.2 million, is focused on growing Ghana’s power sector.

Speaking to journalists in New York, after a courtesy call by the Chief Executive of the MCC, Dana Hyde, President Mahama, said with the implementation and disbursement of the Compact about to commence, a focused and increased stakeholder consultation, would help the process.

Workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), have been protesting against plans to introduce private sector involvement in the management of the Company.

Ghana, has already accessed a first compact of $547 million over a five-year period, which was committed to poverty reduction strategies.

The second compact, which will also run for a five-year period, is not only geared towards transforming the energy sector, but also bringing on board Private Sector investments in the power sector.

The MCC, only grants new compacts to countries that have fully utilized previous funds for the intended purpose.

The MCC Chief Executive, congratulated Ghana for achieving entry into force of the Ghana Compact.
Meanwhile, the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), has denied claims there has been a directive for MiDA to halt all activities in relation to the partial privatisation of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) until it receives a directive from the president.

Director of Communications and Outreach at MiDA, Pamela Djamson-Tettey, told Accra-based Joy FM, the claims by the Secretary of the ECG Senior Staff Association, Patrick Binyemi, are untrue.

“MiDA wishes to state categorically that these comments are untrue and inaccurate,” she stated.

“There was no directive given to halt MiDA’s activities in respect of the ECG private sector participation. No such a directive was discussed at the last meeting which was held at the flagstaff house.

“The reports are untrue and lacked basis,” she said.

Secretary of the ECG Senior Staff Association, had told Joy News, shortly after the meeting that there has been a directive for MiDA, to halt proceedings until the president gives a directive.

He said, as a result of the directive, the first bidder’s conference to be organised by MiDA in October to select which concessionaire takes over the management of ECG, has been put on hold, because of the directive.

But Pamela Djamson-Tettey in an interview with Myjoyonline.com, said there was no such directive.

When she was asked what transpired at the meeting Mrs Djamson-Tettey said:
“These discussions are ongoing and MiDA is not in the position to disclose the details at this time.”

She said the meeting was held under the auspices of the Chief of Staff but he was unavailable on Tuesday. However, Mr Antwi Boasiako sat in for him.
Asked if the bidder’s conference was going to take place she said no decision has been taken, at least at the moment.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has also dismissed the report saying he never issued any such a directive. Mr Debrah said he was not even in Accra, neither was he part of the meeting.

Below is a statement issued by MiDA:

RESPONSE BY MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (MiDA) TO MYJOYONLINE ARTICLE: “MiDA DIRECTED TO HALT PRIVATISATION OF ECG”.

The Management of the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), has noted with concern comments attributed to the Secretary of the ECG Senior Staff Association, Patrick Binyemi, and contained in a Myjoyonline.com article on September 21, 2016, entitled: “MiDA directed to halt the privatisation of ECG.”

MiDA wishes to state categorically that these comments are untrue and inaccurate.

Indeed, under the auspices of the Chief of Staff, MiDA is participating in ongoing discussions with the Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU) of ECG and ECG Management in respect of their concerns regarding the ECG Private Sector Participation.

As these discussions are ongoing, MiDA is not in a position to disclose details at this time.

MiDA, however, wishes to inform the public that no directive to halt its activities in respect of the ECG Private Sector Participation has been given, and no such directive was discussed at the last meeting held at the Flagstaff House, Accra.