AGI Slams Government Over Missing Imported Cables, Demands Full Probe

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has launched a scathing critique of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) over the reported disappearance of more than 1,000 containers of imported electrical cables, describing the situation as “most unfortunate” and a violation of Ghana’s local content laws.

In a strongly worded statement issued on April 5 and signed by AGI Chief Executive Officer Seth Twum-Akwaboah, the association expressed deep concern over what it sees as a troubling pattern of illegal and unnecessary imports by ECG, a debt-ridden state institution. The AGI warned that such practices not only breach Legislative Instrument 2354, which governs local content in the electricity supply industry, but also threaten to derail Ghana’s industrialisation agenda.

“For a state institution that is already saddled with huge debts, this is most unfortunate,” the AGI stated, citing growing speculation and “ballooning rumours” over ECG’s unchecked importation of aluminium conductors—products which AGI insists can be fully manufactured locally using raw materials from VALCO.

The group emphasised that Ghana has built the capacity to locally produce 100% of its aluminium conductor needs, making the imports not only redundant but also a violation of the Local Content and Local Participation in Electricity Supply Industry Regulations, 2017 (L.I. 2354).

“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,” the statement lamented. “Importing such huge volumes breaches L.I. 2354.”

AGI further warned that if Ghana continues to ignore its own local content regulations, the country’s goal of becoming an industrialised nation will remain elusive. “Without rigorous enforcement of significant local content as a strategic option to accelerate economic growth, Ghana’s quest for industrialisation cannot be achieved,” the association stressed.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Minister of Energy and Green Transition in addressing the matter, AGI called for more decisive action, including:
• Strengthening public financial management systems
• Immediate investigations into all imports that violate L.I. 2354
• Nullification of illegal contracts
• Timely payment to local manufacturers
• Frequent audits and tighter internal controls

The association also praised ECG’s past efforts in promoting local manufacturing—including the production of aluminium conductors, treated poles, and locally assembled meters and transformers—which AGI said had created thousands of jobs and fostered sustainable industrial growth. However, it warned that the new wave of imports threatens to undo that progress.

AGI made it clear that not all suppliers qualify under the local content label. “Local suppliers who merely import finished items do not qualify to be classified as local content suppliers,” it said.