John Ayiku Ocansey’s ECG Appointment Withdrawn: Investigative Journalist Alleges Sabotage

 

A recent decision by the Ministry of Energy to withdraw the appointment of Mr. John Ayiku Ocansey as the new Acting Deputy Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has sparked controversy, with investigative journalist Jeff Ashley alleging that top management officials may have influenced the decision to protect their interests.

On March 17, 2025, the Minister of Energy, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor wrote an official letter to the staff of ECG introducing Mr. Ocansey as the newly appointed Acting Deputy Managing Director of the company. The letter signed by the Minister stated that the appointment was made by President John Dramani Mahama and urged ECG staff to facilitate his welcome and provide him with the necessary support.

However, in a surprising turn of events just a day later, on March 18, 2025, the same Minister issued another letter withdrawing Mr. Ocansey’s appointment. The withdrawal letter referenced the earlier introduction and stated that it had been issued inadvertently declaring that the initial appointment was no longer valid.

Investigative journalist and host of Jeffrey Ashley TV, Jeff Ashley has alleged that some top management officials within ECG were behind the withdrawal. According to his investigation these officials were concerned that Mr. Ocansey who has worked with ECG for 28 years could expose certain illegal activities within the company. One of the major concerns raised was the issue of ECG containers that allegedly went missing at the Tema Port.

Ashley further claimed that some top managers had opposed the appointment on tribal grounds as Mr. Ocansey is a Ga. However, he refuted claims that the ECG workers’ union was against the appointment, stating that his findings revealed that the union and a majority of ECG staff were in full support of Mr. Ocansey’s leadership.

Additionally, he alleged that key figures within ECG were plotting to sabotage Mr. Ocansey and that he would expose their identities when the time was right. According to Ashley, Timothy Nyame who is the ECG union secretary has also publicly confirmed that the ECG staff and union members were in favor of Mr. Ocansey’s appointment and were unhappy about its withdrawal.

Before his appointment, Mr. John Ayiku Ocansey had risen through the ranks at ECG, serving in various capacities. His most recent role before the announcement was as the Human Resources Manager for ECG’s Accra East Region.

His educational background includes:
• BSc in Social Sciences – University of Ghana
• MSc in Governance and Development – University of Cape Coast
• LLB (Law Degree) – Mountcrest University College

Apart from his career at ECG, Mr. Ocansey is also known for his political involvement with the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He served as the Treasurer of the NDC Weija-Gbawe Constituency for two terms and was an aspiring parliamentary candidate in 2016.

The sudden withdrawal of Mr. Ocansey’s appointment raises several concerns:

1. Why was the appointment initially made if it was to be withdrawn within 24 hours?
2. Were there political or internal influences at play in reversing the decision?
3. If the ECG union and staff truly supported Mr. Ocansey, why was his appointment withdrawn?
4. Are the alleged missing ECG containers at the Tema Port related to the resistance against his appointment?

As the controversy unfolds, many Ghanaians are waiting for official clarifications. Whether the government will address these allegations or reconsider Mr. Ocansey’s appointment remains to be seen.