AGI Condemns ECG’s Cable Imports, Demands Enforcement of Local Content Laws
He Also Highlighted The Disparity In Payment
The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has raised serious concerns about the Electricity Company of Ghana’s (ECG) reported large-scale importation of electrical cables, especially aluminium conductors, despite Ghana possessing the full capacity to produce these locally.
AGI CEO Seth Twum-Akwaboah described the situation as a “total disregard for local content,” referencing reports of over 1,000 imported cable containers, many allegedly missing. The AGI points out that these imports violate the 2017 Local Content Regulations (L.I. 2354), which aim to promote local industry in public procurement.
Twum-Akwaboah noted ECG’s past support for local manufacturers of aluminium conductors, meter assembly, and wooden pole treatment, which fostered job creation and a local supply chain utilizing VALCO’s aluminium. He lamented that despite 100% local production capacity for aluminium conductors, these imports persist, contravening L.I. 2354. He also highlighted the disparity in payment, with importers being paid promptly while local manufacturers face significant arrears.
The AGI is urging the Minister of Energy and Green Transition to immediately strengthen internal controls within ECG, enforce frequent audits, investigate and cancel import contracts violating local content laws, and prioritize payments to local manufacturers.
The association warned that Ghana’s industrialization goals will be undermined without strong enforcement of local content policies and clarified that importers of finished goods should not be considered local content suppliers.
