The Ashanti regional minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, has firmly rejected demands from workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for an apology following the arrest of one of the company’s managers in the region.
Addressing a press conference in Kumasi on Thursday (25 April), Osei-Mensah defended his actions, citing security concerns as the basis for requesting the police to arrest the Ashanti East manager of ECG, Mark Wiafe Asomani.
He highlighted existing agreements between ECG and the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) to resolve outstanding debts, emphasising that his actions were in line with his responsibilities and not indicative of any wrongdoing.
“Do I have to apologise for doing my security work?” the minister questioned, asserting his authority under the Securities and Intelligence Agencies Act of 2020.
“What I want to tell you is that I asked the police to invite Ing Mark Wiafe Asomani on security grounds because of the happenings in the electricity sector in the region and the fact that a task force can always come from outside to disconnect without the proper information”.
He also refuted claims that certain ECG managers are members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), and criticised ECG for failing to maintain uninterrupted power supply at the residences of the president and vice-president when in the Ashanti Region.
“It is palpable falsehood. They are not members of the Regional Security Council. Regional Security Council invited them to come and brief us on the adequacy or otherwise of security measures put in place at the various installations of the ECG.
“I had informed ECG that where the President and the Vice President lodged anytime they are in Kumasi is declared security zone. Unfortunately, ECG had never observed this and keeps on flouting this [directive]”, he said.
Furthermore, the Minister alleged overcharges by ECG for electricity at his residence while denying any outstanding payments to the power company.
Meanwhile, employees of the ECG have justified their planned protest against Mr Osei-Mensah.
The workers on Wednesday hoisted red flags and wearing red attire, serving as a visible expression of solidarity and discontent among ECG staff.
Speaking to Asaase News, Osman Yousif, Chairman of the Senior Staff Union, emphasized that the minister’s actions threaten the security and well-being of ECG members.
Reporting By Jonathan Ofori and Bright Yeboah, Ashanti Region
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