Accra: The Public Utilities Workers Union (PUWU) has warned the government against relying heavily on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to solve Ghana's economic and energy problems. Deputy General Secretary of PUWU, Enoch Paul Hayes, emphasized the need for the government to carefully assess the IMF's recommendations while also considering ideas from individuals and groups in Ghana.
According to Ghana Web, Hayes stated during an appearance on Joy FM's PM Express that Ghanaians should not expect the IMF to provide support without expecting something in return. "I want to state it clearly. We have evidence. The IMF is not Father Christmas. They are not coming to say that they are giving us something for free. Whatever they put in, they know what they want to get from it," he said.
His comments come as the government works to address challenges in the energy sector, including the high cost of electricity generation, financial difficulties, and the operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). Hayes also questioned why the cost of electricity supplied by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) was not receiving enough attention, highlighting concerns over the pricing of electricity generation by IPPs.
Hayes urged the government to examine the experiences of other African countries before adopting recommendations from international institutions. He cited examples from Nigeria and Uganda, where he claimed international interventions have not yielded the desired results.
Moreover, Hayes pointed to Ghana's success in managing its challenges, such as progress at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), as evidence that the country is capable of solving its own problems. He quoted Kwame Nkrumah, saying, "The black man is equally capable of managing his own affairs."
In conclusion, Hayes called on the government to give greater attention to proposals from organized labor and the Trades Union Congress (TUC), noting that workers have already submitted recommendations on how to address challenges in the energy sector.