The industrial city of Tema witnessed heightened tensions on Monday as scores of angry youth poured onto the streets to protest rumours surrounding the alleged sale of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) to a private developer according to reports from Blogger, The TEMA STORY
Clad in red and black attire, the demonstrators marched through parts of the city carrying placards and chanting slogans, expressing their strong opposition to what they described as attempts to transfer ownership of one of Ghana’s most strategic state-owned enterprises.
The protesters argued that VALCO remains a critical pillar of Ghana’s industrialization agenda and should continue to operate in the national interest rather than be placed under private ownership.
Some of the demonstrators claimed they had become concerned following reports suggesting that a strategic partner could be introduced into the operations of the aluminium smelter, a move they fear could eventually reduce the state’s ownership and control.
Among the allegations raised during the protest was the claim that businessman Ibrahim Mahama, brother of President John Dramani Mahama, had been mentioned as a person with an interest in the proposed arrangement.
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The controversy gained further public attention after political commentary aired on UTV Ghana’s The Political Truth, where analyst M. Arhin questioned whether the government was effectively preparing to sell VALCO through the introduction of a strategic partner.
During the programme, concerns were raised over the identity of the proposed strategic partner and why Ghana would potentially become a minority shareholder in one of its most important industrial assets if such an arrangement were pursued.
The growing speculation has fueled widespread public debate, with many Ghanaians calling on the government to provide clarity on the future ownership and management structure of the aluminium company.
In a significant development, VALCO workers, together with their union leaders, have also openly expressed their opposition to the reported plans, escalating pressure on authorities to address the concerns being raised.
The workers formally presented a petition to the Mayor of Tema, Hon. Ebi Bright, urging immediate intervention to prevent any proposed sale or privatization of the company.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the appropriate authorities, the Mayor acknowledged the concerns of the workers as they appealed for urgent action to protect both the company and the livelihoods of hundreds of employees.
According to the workers, VALCO represents far more than a commercial enterprise, describing it as a strategic national asset that plays a vital role in Ghana’s industrial development, employment creation and economic growth.
The petition further emphasized that any decision affecting the future ownership or control of VALCO should be handled transparently and in the broader national interest, with adequate stakeholder engagement before any major policy decision is taken.
As of Monday, the government had not issued an official statement responding to the allegations circulating in the public domain regarding the company’s future ownership or addressing the concerns raised by both the protesters and the workers.
With public pressure mounting from residents, organized labour and concerned citizens, attention is now turning to the government for an official clarification that could settle the growing uncertainty over the future of VALCO, one of Ghana’s most significant industrial assets.
