A storm is brewing at the Volta River Authority (VRA) as Ing. Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo, the authority’s Acting Chief Executive, faces intense opposition to his appointment amidst allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
The opposition, led by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus and some VRA staff, has cited a multimillion-dollar scandal and the relocation of the AMERI Power plant to Kumasi as reasons for their resistance.
The controversy surrounding Ing. Kenzo’s appointment dates back to 2022 when he was allegedly involved in a $52 million sole-sourcing procurement scandal alongside the then-Chief Executive, Emmanuel Antwi Darkwa.
The scandal, which was reportedly exposed on ‘With All Due Respect TV (WADR-TV) by Kelvin Taylor,’ raised serious concerns about VRA transparency and financial accountability.
Critics of Ing. Kenzo’s appointment have also pointed to his alleged mismanagement of the Akosombo Dam spillage in 2023, which resulted in severe flooding that displaced thousands of people along Volta Lake.
They accuse him of failing to properly engage stakeholders and implement necessary precautionary measures before opening the spillway gates.
Furthermore, several VRA staff have accused Ing. Kenzo of fostering a hostile work environment, describing his leadership style as authoritarian and oppressive.
He has been labelled a workplace bully, with staff complaining about his unilateral decision-making and lack of inclusivity.
The VRA Ladies Association has also reportedly raised concerns about promotion favouritism, claiming that some individuals were elevated based on personal relationships rather than merit.
Despite these allegations, Ing. Kenzo has received support from the Society of Volta River Authority Engineers (SOVRAE), which has pledged its unflinching support for him.
The society, which comprises over 200 engineers from every facet of VRA operations, has expressed confidence in Ing. Kenzo’s ability to lead the authority.
[02:37, 2/26/2025] Fortune Alimi – Editor: Minority Caucus Chases IGP, EC Over Disputed Ablekuma North Election
The controversy surrounding the Ablekuma North Parliamentary seat has taken a new turn as Minority MPs in Ghana’s Parliament are demanding answers from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Electoral Commission (EC) over the failure to declare the winner of the disputed seat.
According to the MP for Odotobri, Anthony Mmieh, the people of Ablekuma North are being disenfranchised due to the electoral bodies’ failure to do their job.
“Technically, the people of Ablekuma North are being disenfranchised because electoral bodies have failed to do their work,” Mmieh stated on the floor of Parliament on Friday.
The dispute over the Ablekuma North Parliamentary seat has been ongoing, with the Minority MPs claiming that the EC has failed to declare the winner of the seat despite numerous calls to do so.
The MPs argue that this has resulted in the people of Ablekuma North being without representation in Parliament.
The Minority MPs have repeatedly drawn the attention of the leaders responsible for elections and security to the issue, urging them to take immediate action to resolve the dispute.
However, their efforts have yielded no results, prompting them to demand answers from the IGP and the EC.
With the State of the Nation Address scheduled to take place on Thursday, the Minority Caucus are intensifying their demands for a solution to the dispute.
They argue that the people of Ablekuma North deserve to have their representative in Parliament, and it is the responsibility of the electoral bodies to ensure that this happens.
The dispute over the Ablekuma North Parliamentary seat has highlighted the need for electoral reforms in Ghana.
The Minority MPs are calling for a one-time solution to the problem, which would involve the EC declaring the winner of the seat and ensuring that the people of Ablekuma North have representation in Parliament.
-BY Daniel Bampoe