Accra: The Professional and Management Staff Union (PMSU) of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) has officially distanced itself from a demonstration opposing the government's initiative to find a strategic investor for the company. The union clarified that the protest does not reflect the views of its members.
According to Ghana Web, the union, representing Assistant Managers, Managers, and Area Managers at VALCO, issued a statement on Monday, July 27, 2026. Signed by Isaac Odor on behalf of PMSU-VALCO, the statement emphasized that the union had no knowledge of, involvement in, or association with the ongoing demonstration against the search for an investor. It also highlighted that the union was neither consulted nor informed prior to the planning of the protest.
The union reaffirmed its support for the government's efforts to attract a strategic investor, asserting that substantial capital investment is necessary for the aluminium smelter's competitive production. PMSU-VALCO stressed that finding an investor has been an ongoing process for over five years, during which the condition of the plant has deteriorated. The union insisted that significant funding is required to rebuild facilities, restore production capacity, and secure reliable power and raw material supplies, which cannot be generated internally.
While backing the government's position, the union rejected claims that $60 million would suffice to restore the smelter to efficient operation. PMSU-VALCO, comprised of engineers, maintenance professionals, and operations personnel, argued that the company's infrastructure is largely obsolete, requiring an estimated $700 million or more for a meaningful revival. The union maintained that a $60 million intervention would only provide temporary relief without addressing long-term challenges.
PMSU-VALCO urged the government to publish the technical and financial basis for the $60 million estimate for independent scrutiny and called for transparent evaluation of all proposals for the company's revival. The union appealed to the media and public, clarifying that the ongoing protest does not represent the professional and management staff's position. It cautioned that such protests could deter potential investors, crucial for reviving Ghana's aluminium industry.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to VALCO, its workforce, and the industry's revival, emphasizing the need for serious capital and a strategic partner to achieve these goals.