Accra, March 19, 2025 – The Senior Staff Association (SSA) and the VRA Divisional Union of Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have strongly opposed the purported appointment of Mr. R.A. Abdul Jalil as the Director of Public Affairs for the Volta River Authority (VRA)
In a joint statement, the leadership of VRA/NEDCo staff groups expressed “profound revulsion and objection” to what they described as an irregular appointment, arguing that it threatens the integrity of the authority’s operations and recruitment protocols as outlined in the VRA Act 46.
Grounds for Rejection
The staff unions outlined several reasons for rejecting the appointment:
Violation of Recruitment Policies – The appointment bypasses VRA’s established recruitment procedures, which ensure fairness, competence, and meritocracy. Managerial and directorate positions, they emphasized, are not filled by government appointment or presidential directives.
Contravention of Senior Staff Conditions of Service – The appointment violates the collective agreement between VRA management and the PSWU of TUC, which mandates a competitive selection process for senior positions.
Undermining Experienced Professionals – Staff groups argue that the move disregards the expertise and experience of dedicated VRA employees who have risen through the ranks. They warn that this could demotivate the workforce and weaken succession planning within the authority.
Demand for Due Process
The unions have called on the Acting Chief Executive of VRA to resist any pressure to enforce the appointment. They insist that Mr. Abdul Jalil, if qualified, should undergo the standard recruitment process and compete fairly for the position when a vacancy arises.
Furthermore, they have urged the Minister of Energy and Green Transition to intervene and withdraw the appointment to prevent disruptions to industrial harmony at VRA.
Call to Action
The unions have vowed to use all legitimate means to resist what they see as political interference in VRA’s operations. They have also appealed to the general public, past executives, and professional associations to support their efforts to uphold the authority’s integrity and professionalism.
Signed:
Theophilus Tetteh Ahia – National Chairman, SSA
Fuseini Adjei – VRA Divisional Union Chairman, PSWU
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Gumedzo Isaac Acheampong
