The Acting Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ing. Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo, has called upon staff to boost their efforts, demonstrate renewed vigor, determination, and dedication to bolster electricity production in order to accelerate national development.
He made this call during visits to various VRA work stations following his appointment by President John Dramani Mahama as Acting Chief Executive.
Engaging staff through open dialogue
In his first few weeks since his new appointment, the Acting Chief Executive has engaged unionized staff, senior staff, managers, directors, and leaders from all staff groups in frank, no-holds-barred conversations at locations including Accra, Tema, Aboadze in the Western Region, as well as Akosombo and Akuse in the Eastern Region.
These interactions, he explained, serve to introduce him to staff at each location, and to solicit their perspectives, ideas, and suggestions to help develop a strategic vision aimed at enhancing the VRA’s processes, generating greater electricity output, and improving overall performance.
Adopting a private sector ethos
Across all work locations, Ing. Obeng-Kenzo stressed the need to adopt a private sector-driven work ethos founded on hard work and teamwork.
He believes that this approach will strengthen the VRA’s ability to achieve its mandate, further diversify its operations, and expand green energy production to power the nation.
Despite acknowledging that the VRA is a publicly owned entity, he emphasized the importance of embracing a private sector mentality to reinvigorate innovation, generate sufficient revenue, and enable the authority to expand operations for the mutual benefit of both the state and its employees.
Commitment to staff welfare and safety
The Acting Chief Executive also underscored that staff safety and welfare remain paramount. He assured employees that all benefits would be enhanced to ensure their well-being and boost morale, ultimately increasing productivity across the organization.
Broad support from within and beyond
The staff expressed delight at his appointment, viewing it as a sign of continuity and a rising leader from within the authority, entrusted with steering the affairs of the Volta River Authority. They pledged their support to help achieve the collective ambition of powering economies and producing excellence in a safe environment. Since his appointment, Ing. Obeng-Kenzo has received congratulations from numerous groups both within and outside the VRA.
These include, but are not limited to, the Public Sector Workers Union of TUC, the Society of Volta River Authority Engineers (SOVRAE), the College of Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the Project Management Institute, The Chartered Institute of Supply Chain Management, as well as the staff of VRA.
In his short tenure so far, Ing. Obeng-Kenzo’s proactive engagement with staff and his emphasis on a dynamic, private sector-inspired work culture have already begun to signal a promising new era for the VRA—one that holds the potential to not only meet but exceed the demands of Ghana’s growing energy needs.
