The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU)-Ghana has staged a protest against the alleged sale of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), warning that any transfer of ownership could jeopardise the livelihoods of workers and undermine one of Ghana’s key state-owned enterprises.
The demonstration follows months of concerns raised by some VALCO employees, who have alleged since January 2026 that the company is being prepared for sale under the leadership of the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah. The workers have also called for his removal.
Although GIADEC has repeatedly denied claims that VALCO is being sold, insisting instead that it is pursuing a co-ownership arrangement with a private sector partner rather than an outright sale, the ICU says it remains unconvinced.
Addressing protesters on Monday, July 27, ICU-Ghana General Secretary Morgan Ayawine said the demonstration was intended to protect jobs and preserve one of Ghana’s strategic industrial assets.
“July 27, 2026, is a great day. It is a day for the determination of our destiny as patriotic citizens of this country. We are here to determine the fate of one of the premier companies that was bequeathed by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to all of us,” he said.
Ayawine argued that successive governments have sought to divest state-owned assets and cautioned against any attempt to do the same with VALCO.
“It has been noticed that over the years, government after government has attempted to sell everything, and now they are at it again, and they want to sell VALCO.
“We are not here to do politics. We are not partisan politicians. We are labour unions, and our duty is to ensure that jobs are created,” he stated.
The union maintains that preserving VALCO is essential for protecting employment and safeguarding Ghana’s strategic interests in the aluminium industry, while urging the government to provide greater transparency regarding the company’s future ownership structure.
Source: citinews
