AGI slams ECG over missing containers of imported aluminium conductors & unpaid local manufacturers

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has strongly criticised the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) over the disappearance of more than 1,000 containers of imported electrical cables. AGI described the situation as “most unfortunate” and possibly violating Ghana’s local content laws.

In a strongly worded statement signed by AGI CEO Seth Twum-Akwaboah and released on April 5, 2025 AGI expressed deep frustration over ECG’s actions, particularly the import of aluminium conductors that Ghana is fully capable of producing domestically. The Association condemned the move as not only unnecessary but also damaging to the growth and sustainability of local industry.

Even more alarming, according to AGI, are widespread rumours that a significant number of these imported containers have mysteriously gone missing. AGI emphasised that Ghana now possesses the full capacity to manufacture aluminium conductors domestically, meeting 100 per cent of national demand with raw materials supplied by VALCO. Given this capability, the Association argued that the large-scale imports by ECG are unnecessary and in breach of the law.

AGI has outlined three clear demands in response to the ongoing controversy -

• First, it is urging the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition to reinforce public financial management systems and implement regular audits to ensure adherence to local content regulations.
• Second, AGI is calling for a comprehensive investigation into the reported imports and a firm rejection of any contracts found to be illegal.
• Third, the Association is demanding the immediate settlement of outstanding debts owed to local manufacturers, stressing that these payments should receive the same level of urgency as those made to local power producers.

AGI commended ECG’s previous efforts in promoting the development of local industries for the production of aluminium conductors, the treatment of wooden poles, and the assembly of meters and transformers. These initiatives, the Association noted, had generated thousands of jobs and established a successful model of local vertical integration that could have served as a blueprint for national industrial growth.

“It is sad to note that our local manufacturers of aluminium conductors, who continue to create jobs, are owed huge sums of money, yet importers are promptly paid. Importing such huge volumes breaches L.I. 2354. Without rigorous enforcement of significant local content as a strategic option to accelerate economic growth, Ghana’s quest for industrialisation cannot be achieved,” said AGI.

However, AGI warned that the recent surge in large-scale imports risks undoing years of hard-earned progress. AGI urged the Minister of Energy and Green Transition to take firm action by reinforcing public financial management systems, thoroughly investigating all imports that contravene L.I. 2354, and distancing the government from any “illegal contracts.”