AGI blasts ECG over unpaid local manufacturers amid mysterious cable imports

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has criticized the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). They demand immediate payment for local manufacturers owed large sums.

This criticism follows reports that ECG is prioritizing questionable imports. These imports include electrical cables, which violate Ghana’s local content laws.

On April 5, AGI issued a strong statement. They expressed outrage over ECG importing over a thousand containers of electrical cables. This includes aluminium conductors, despite Ghana's ability to produce these materials locally.

AGI also raised concerns about missing imported containers. “Pay us, not importers,” AGI stated, calling the situation “most unfortunate.”

They noted that local manufacturers are owed significant amounts while importers are paid promptly. AGI’s CEO, Seth Twum-Akwaboah, expressed his disappointment with ECG's actions.

He acknowledged the Energy Minister's efforts to resolve the issue. The group highlighted ECG's past support for local content initiatives. They mentioned how ECG encouraged businesses to produce aluminium conductors and other materials locally.

This support led to the passing of L.I. 2354 in 2017. This law promoted policy uniformity and created thousands of jobs in Ghana.

“Today, Ghana has 100% LOCAL production capacity for aluminium conductors,” AGI stated. They believe importing these products is unnecessary and illegal under L.I. 2354.

AGI called for investigations into all imports violating this regulation. They outlined three specific demands:

First, they want the Ministry of Energy to strengthen financial management systems and conduct audits regularly.

Second, they seek a full investigation into reported imports and rejection of any illegal contracts resulting from them.

Third, they demand prompt payment of arrears owed to local manufacturers. Payments should be prioritized like those given to power producers.

AGI emphasized a distinction between true local manufacturers and those who simply import goods for resale. “Local suppliers who merely import finished items do not qualify as local content suppliers,” they stressed.

The group concluded with a warning: without strict adherence to local content laws, Ghana’s industrialization dream will remain unfulfilled.

AGI awaits swift government action and is open to further discussions on this matter. Their message is clear: stop ignoring local industry, halt imports, and start paying those building the future from within.