PUWU condemns threats against ECG staff, cites infrastructure gaps behind outages

The Public Utility Workers’ Union (PUWU) has condemned what it describes as increasing public threats against staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), warning that such actions could undermine morale and disrupt industrial harmony.

In a statement issued on Monday, April 27, 2026, the Union expressed “grave concern” over what it called “an emerging trend of certain officials issuing public threats against staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana Ltd. (ECG).”

According to PUWU, some of the threats, including calls for transfers and dismissals, are based on allegations that ECG workers are deliberately sabotaging the power system. The Union rejected this claim, insisting that power outages are largely the result of longstanding technical and infrastructural challenges rather than employee misconduct.

“These threats… insinuate that the outages being experienced are the result of deliberate sabotage by employees, rather than underlying technical and infrastructural challenges,” the statement said.

PUWU defended ECG staff, describing them as “consummate professionals who work tirelessly, often with resource scarcity,” while pointing to years of underinvestment in the power distribution sector.

The Union highlighted critical shortages of essential equipment such as transformers, poles and cables, noting that existing infrastructure is overstretched. It referenced recent government plans to procure 1,500 transformers to help ease pressure on the system.

Providing further context, PUWU cited the situation in the Ashanti Region, where peak electricity demand exceeds the combined capacity of the three Bulk Supply Points currently in operation, leaving the network vulnerable to faults due to overloading.

It also pointed to similar challenges in the Volta and Oti Regions, where demand has outpaced the capacity of existing 69kV transmission lines, resulting in “under voltages, voltage fluctuations and frequent power outages,” particularly during peak periods.

The Union expressed concern over public accusations targeting specific staff, especially in the Western Region, where some workers have reportedly been labelled as saboteurs without evidence.

“The calling of names of some staff… as saboteurs of the government without any evidence… expose these staff… to attacks and public ridicule,” PUWU warned.

It cautioned that such actions could endanger workers and disrupt service delivery, noting that field personnel often operate under challenging conditions and must enter communities at all hours to restore power.

PUWU has therefore called on political actors, media practitioners and the general public to exercise restraint and use appropriate channels to address concerns.

“The Union will resist, with all our might… any attempt at undue political interference in the professional operations of the Company,” it stated, reaffirming its commitment to protecting the “safety, dignity and wellbeing” of its members.