By Ashiadey Dotse
Scrap dealers in Ghana are asking the government to introduce rules to help control the scrap metal industry. They say criminals are taking advantage of the lack of regulations, damaging the reputation of honest workers in the sector.
The scrap business, where materials like aluminum, copper, brass, and iron are collected and sold has become an important source of income for many Ghanaians. These metals are often used by local companies to make things like roofing sheets.
However, dealers say some people are now stealing materials, including government property like electrical cables, and selling them as scrap. This has made it harder for serious businesses to earn a living.
“There are no rules, so criminals are stealing metal and giving us a bad name,” said one dealer during a meeting organized by the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC).
The scrap dealers also said the prices they get for their hard work are too low. “We work so hard, but the money we get doesn’t match the effort,” another dealer said.
In response, GIISDEC’s Chief Executive Officer, Williams Okofo-Dateh, said the government is working on a new plan to regulate the industry. The plan includes giving licenses to scrap dealers and putting systems in place to monitor the trade and stop illegal activities.
He mentioned that some companies are buying stolen cables, melting them, and turning them into roofing materials for profit. “This must stop,” he said.
Mr. Okofo-Dateh explained that the goal of the new rules is not to make life harder for honest businesses, but to protect the industry and ensure it can grow in a sustainable way.
“We want all genuine dealers to join us in this effort,” he said. “This is about protecting your work and helping the country.”
