VALCO Union Fires Back At Lands Minister Over Alleged Intimidation

The Local Union of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) under the Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union (ICU-Ghana) has launched a scathing critique against the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.

The Union's leadership warned Armah-Kofi Buah to cease any intimidation tactics against the employees of VALCO regarding their public protest to reject the government's plan—through the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC)—to allow private investor--Arch Holdings to acquire VALCO assets for a reported $70 million.

The VALCO Local Union has challenged the Minister regarding the proposed 70% equity transfer to Arch Holdings Limited, questioning the transparency of the investor selection process and the lack of proper stakeholder engagement.

 The Union argued that this move amounts to surrendering control of a strategic national asset and demanded that leadership focus on accountability rather than silencing dissent. 

The warning was contained in a strongly worded press statement issued by the leadership of the VALCO Local Union to quickly respond to the Sector Minister's threats and intimidation meted out to workers during his visit to the premises to engage leadership and staff on the government's proposed silent investor takeover of VALCO assets. 

In a press statement dated Thursday, July 30, 2026, the VALCO Local Union expressed disappointment regarding remarks made by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources concerning the proposed private investor acquisition. 

The union disputed the Minister’s comments during a meeting with workers, reiterating their opposition to the plan.

The statement challenged the Lands Minister's remark, arguing it was unfair to VALCO workers and that his description of their work was too harsh.

"The Honourable Minister suggested that because workers receive salaries, we do not want Ghanaians to be told that VALCO is struggling. 

The Minister further complained that some workers are going to the media to speak against the proposed strategic equity investor arrangement and reportedly directed the VALCO CEO to invoke company policy against workers who express their grievances," parts of the Minister’s remark reads in context.

The VALCO Local Union questioned that " Did the Honourable Minister give the same directive when persons associated with the GIADEC CEO, Mr. Reindolf Twumasi Ankrah, went to CTV and TV3 to announce and thank the President for securing an investor for VALCO, even before the proper stakeholder engagement the Minister now speaks about?

The Union said "If speaking publicly in support of the transaction attracts praise, but speaking publicly against it attracts threats of disciplinary action, then we must ask whether the issue is really company policy or an attempt to silence dissent. 

The union stated that the remark gives troubling credence to rumors previously heard from individuals promoting the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) CEO’s position within the plant: that they intended to take over the Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO) and that no one could stop them. 

Key Questions Raised

Political consistency: Is this not the same political tradition that opposed the sale of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) hotels while in opposition?

Past actions: Is this not the same political tradition that fought vehemently against attempts involving the Tema Oil Refinery?

Public deception: What has changed? What is different now? Were Ghanaians deceived then, or are we being deceived now?

On Semantics and Equity Transfer

Rejecting semantics: Workers and Ghanaians cannot be told that “VALCO is not being sold” while a proposal is made to cede 70 percent equity ownership of this strategic national asset to a private investor. 

Controlling ownership: A 70 percent equity transfer means surrendering the controlling ownership of VALCO, whether it is called a strategic investment, partnership, equity participation, or any other sophisticated name. According to the union, the substance remains the same.

The Union's Position

Pro-investment stance: The VALCO Local Union is not fighting against investment; it is fighting for Ghana’s interest, VALCO’s future, and the generations who will inherit today's decisions. 

Defense of assets: The union refuses to keep quiet while Ghana is offered a bad deal, will not be intimidated or silenced, and will not surrender its responsibility to speak for the workers and defend a strategic national asset.

"The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 29:4 that 'by justice a king gives a country stability,' and in Ephesians 4:25 to 'put off falsehood and speak truthfully.'

 "Honourable Minister, leadership is not strengthened by silencing disagreement; rather, it is strengthened by truth, transparency, and accountability. VALCO belongs to Ghana, and the country deserves the truth," the statement concluded.