The Very First Major Test of the Reset Agenda Appears at the VRA

President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Ghana mandate faces its first major test at the Volta River Authority (VRA), where a storm is brewing over the leadership of Ing. Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo.

Appointed as caretaker Chief Executive, Kenzo’s position is being fiercely contested by a coalition of VRA insiders, senior staff, and prominent National Democratic Congress (NDC) operatives.

They accused him of being a staunch New Patriotic Party (NPP) loyalist, involved in procurement irregularities, managerial bullying, and politicised staffing decisions.

The growing chorus insists that he must not be entrusted with the future of Ghana’s most strategic power asset.

The New Voter Forum (NVF), which includes notable NDC figures, has publicly warned that keeping Kenzo in charge would demoralise the party’s grassroots, compromise the Reset agenda, and undermine energy security.

The accusations range from serious procurement breaches to questionable managerial decisions.

According to insiders, these allegations are backed by documents and internal memos pointing to a pattern of inflated contracts, sole sourcing, and operational missteps.

Though Kenzo has yet to publicly respond, critics insist a forensic audit is the only way forward.

At the heart of the procurement allegations is a reported US$52 million sole-sourcing scandal that first emerged in 2022, implicating both Kenzo and former CEO Ing. Antwi Darkwa.

This, according to staff, is merely one in a series of questionable transactions.

Contracts involving IDC Energy Ltd, Fosap Logistics, and Synho Hydro have all been flagged for scrutiny.

Among the more alarming claims are the procurement of a steam turbine rotor bearing allegedly purchased at seven times its market price and a condenser bought a decade before it would be required.

The repowering of the T3 plant in Takoradi, which ballooned from under US$15 million to US$70 million, is also cited as a case of reckless financial management.

There is further controversy surrounding a US$19 million contract awarded to Syhno Hydro for Akosombo base repairs and capital spares for the Kpong Thermal Power Station allegedly acquired at inflated costs.

These claims, if substantiated, point to systemic abuse of procurement protocols and possible insider manipulation.

Critics argue that keeping Kenzo in charge could hinder any investigation into these matters, as he is seen as being too deeply entrenched in the controversies. For many, this issue is not simply about leadership; it is about protecting the public purse and restoring institutional integrity.

Beyond procurement, Kenzo’s leadership style has also come under fire. Staff described him as a bully who rules with intimidation, showing favouritism in promotions and making key decisions without sufficient technical input.

His eight years in senior management roles under the NPP are described by detractors as unimpressive, with critics highlighting that he failed to add even a single megawatt of power during his tenure.

The costly relocation of the Ameri units from Aboadze to Kumasi at US$32 million is often cited as his only notable project, which critics claim was poorly executed.

These concerns have raised broader questions about the erosion of meritocracy and the morale of VRA staff.

The matter has also taken a political dimension. NDC grassroots activists argue that Kenzo’s loyalty to the NPP makes his continued role untenable.

Allegations have surfaced that he campaigned openly for the NPP, recruited NPP loyalists into VRA during the tail end of 2024, and is now attempting to purchase influence to secure his confirmation as CEO.

It is even claimed that he has attempted to join the NDC at the constituency level to disguise his political past, a move seen as opportunistic and insincere.

For the Mahama administration, the situation presents a dilemma.

The Reset agenda was built on promises of rooting out patronage and restoring transparency.

Critics insist that retaining Kenzo would betray those promises and risk alienating the NDC base.

They are calling for his immediate removal and the appointment of a neutral, technically competent interim CEO to steer the authority.

Furthermore, there is a strong demand for a full forensic audit of VRA’s financial and operational dealings between 2019 and 2025, with particular attention to procurement, contract management, and the controversial relocation of Ameri units.

There is also a call for structural reform within the VRA.

Stakeholders have proposed that the board be reconstituted with individuals possessing technical, financial, and legal expertise rather than political appointees.

Digital procurement systems, contract transparency dashboards, and quarterly public disclosures are recommended to eliminate loopholes.

Others have called for a national energy integrity pact involving civil society and industry stakeholders to safeguard strategic state enterprises from political capture.

Kenzo, for his part, faces mounting pressure to address these allegations publicly.

Critics have outlined key questions that demand answers: What role did he play in the US$52 million procurement deal? Who authorised the controversial 2023 spillage, and why were communities not adequately warned? What accounts for the steep cost escalations in the T3 project? Did he engage in questionable recruitment and inducements to secure his position?

For now, the nation watches as this drama unfolds.

The VRA is too vital to the country’s energy future to be mired in controversy and political infighting.

The Reset agenda faces a defining moment. If President Mahama acts decisively, suspending Kenzo, initiating a forensic probe, and instituting sweeping reforms, he may yet preserve the integrity of both the VRA and his administration’s pledge to restore accountability.

But failure to act could see the Reset agenda derailed before it truly begins. Ghana’s energy security, economic stability, and public trust are all at stake, and the clock is ticking.