ECG revenue is improving, so what has changed? – PUWU challenges World Bank

The Public Utilities Workers Union (PUWU) has criticized the World Bank's approach to resolving Ghana's energy sector issues, questioning why the focus has not shifted towards addressing key structural problems. Deputy General Secretary of PUWU, Enoch Paul Hayes, spoke on Joy FM's PM Express, highlighting the need for greater attention to power generation and Independent Power Producer (IPP) pricing.

He questioned why these concerns have not been prioritized in efforts to reform Ghana's energy sector. Hayes criticized the World Bank for not focusing on these areas, stating that they are "really in places where it’s a matter of concern." Issues such as power generation costs and the concerns of IPPs need to be addressed urgently, he argued.

He also cautioned against overreliance on interventions by international institutions, stating that Ghana has the capacity to tackle its own challenges. For example, he cited the turnaround at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) as evidence of what can be achieved through local efforts. Hayes further questioned the motives behind the World Bank's proposed interventions, suggesting that the institution may be seeking to exploit the current system rather than genuinely aid the sector.

He noted that organized labor had already presented critical measures to the government, urging authorities to pay greater attention to these proposals rather than those that he believes do not address the core problems. Hayes also highlighted the World Bank's previous assessment of the Electricity Company of Ghana's (ECG) revenue performance, stating that the bank had previously claimed that the ECG's revenue was improving.

He asked, "So what has changed?" Hayes maintained that the focus of energy-sector reforms should be on the areas driving the crisis, particularly generation costs and structural challenges.