By: Paul Mamattah
A report gathered by this newspaper indicates that growing unrest within the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) following President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to retain Ing. Mark Awuah Baah as the Chief Executive Officer, despite concerns about his political ties and retirement status.
According to insiders, GRIDCo staff and sections of the NDC grassroots are questioning why Ing. Baah’s close association with the NPP could undermine the government’s efforts to reset the company in line with the much-touted Resetting Agenda.
A letter sighted by this paper, dated January 15, 2025, issued a final retirement notice to Ing. Baah, indicating that he was due for compulsory retirement on June 15, 2025, upon attaining the age of 60, in line with Article 12 of the company’s Conditions of Service clearly instructed him to exit, settle his indebtedness, and vacate company accommodation. Yet, three months after the deadline, he is still firmly in control.
This defiance, workers claim, directly contravenes both GRIDCo’s internal policy and presidential directives.
“How can a man who has officially retired still be running this critical state institution? Who is protecting him, and why?” one agitated staff member asked.
Investigations reveal that employment and contract systems set up under the NPP administration are still intact and being quietly used to fill positions.
Despite an explicit ban from the Chief of Staff halting mass recruitment, allegedly documents and testimonies point to “nichodemous” (backdoor) hirings taking place largely in favour of individuals with NPP connections.
Some frustrated staff, speaking on condition of anonymity, accused the leadership of sidelining NDC faithful who fought for the party’s return to power.
“Our youth bled for this victory. How can our own sit idle with CVs while NPP appointees keep jobs? The resetting agenda is being undermined from within,” one worker lamented.
Party insiders whisper that this quiet resistance is undermining President Mahama’s Resetting Agenda.
“How can we reset Ghana when the very people who wrecked it are still signing contracts, making appointments, and controlling the purse strings?” another insider fumed.
GRIDCo board members are accused of shielding Ing. Baah while sidelining NDC loyalists. The situation has bred deep suspicion within the party base that elements of the old regime are being recycled into the new one.
For now, open dissent remains limited, with many fearing victimization. But the frustration is boiling. One senior NDC figure warned: “This is a betrayal. If this issue is not fixed quickly, the government will wake up one day to realize it has won power but lost control.”
As pressure mounts, questions linger: Who is protecting Ing. Ing. Baah? Why has the retirement directive been ignored? And is GRIDCo fast becoming a shadow stronghold for the very opposition the NDC defeated?