The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU)-Ghana has staged a protest against the alleged sale of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), demanding that the government halt any plans to transfer ownership of the state-owned enterprise.
The demonstration reflects escalating concerns among VALCO’s workforce, who have argued since January 2026 that the company is being prepared for sale under the leadership of Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC). The workers have also reiterated their calls for his removal.
GIADEC has consistently dismissed the outright sale claims, maintaining that it is seeking a co-ownership model with a private sector partner. However, these assurances have failed to ease the concerns of organized labor, as the ICU maintains that such an arrangement will not sufficiently safeguard workers’ interests or the company’s long-term future.
Speaking to protesters on Monday, July 27, ICU-Ghana General Secretary Morgan Ayawine stated that the action was aimed at protecting employment and securing a critical state asset.
“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.
Mr. Ayawine noted that successive governments have repeatedly attempted to divest state assets, cautioning against allowing VALCO to suffer a similar fate.
“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.”
He emphasized that the union’s intervention was motivated by job protection rather than political interest.
“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.
While GIADEC maintains that its negotiations focus on securing a strategic private investor through a joint-ownership framework, union leadership has pledged to oppose any deal that threatens workers’ welfare or national ownership of the industrial asset.