Hundreds of workers and union members took to the streets on Monday to protest the reported sale of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), demanding immediate government intervention to protect jobs and safeguard what they describe as a strategic national asset.
The protest, organised by the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU)-Ghana, marks the latest escalation in a months-long standoff between workers and the management of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), which oversees VALCO’s operations.
At the heart of the dispute are workers’ claims that GIADEC’s Chief Executive Officer, Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah, is orchestrating a backdoor sale of the company despite repeated public denials.
Workers have also demanded his removal, accusing him of undermining transparency and failing to protect their interests.
Speaking at the protest grounds in Accra on July 27, ICU-Ghana General Secretary Morgan Ayawine framed the demonstration as a patriotic duty to protect Ghana’s industrial legacy.
“July 27, 2026, is a great day. It is a day to determine 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,” Ayawine declared.
He drew parallels to past divestitures of state-owned enterprises, warning that VALCO risked suffering the same 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. 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 added.
The union leader cautioned that any sale would have dire consequences for workers and their families, many of whom have dedicated their careers to the company.
For its part, GIADEC has consistently pushed back against the allegations, insisting that it is pursuing a co-ownership model with a private sector partner to inject capital and expertise into VALCO rather than an outright sale.
The CEO has maintained that the arrangement would strengthen the company and secure its long-term viability, but workers remain sceptical, citing a lack of detailed information and meaningful engagement.
As the standoff continues, the ICU has vowed to intensify its campaign unless the government provides clear, legally binding assurances that VALCO will remain under state control and workers’ jobs will be protected.
