The Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) is taking steps to regulate the downstream aluminium sector, which includes activities such as aluminium scrap dealing, casting, and fabrication.
This move is in response to the growing menace of cable and aluminium product theft in Ghana, highlighted by the recent exposure of a multi-million-dollar cartel targeting the Electricity Company of Ghana.
GIADEC, headed by Mr. Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah, is working on a legislative policy framework with the support of the sector Minister, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
The framework will include the identification, registration, and certification of all downstream players, along with a mandatory certificate of origin for aluminium exports and imports.
The proposed regulations aim to combat theft and promote transparency in the sector.
By creating a comprehensive registry, GIADEC will introduce transparency to a sector currently plagued by opacity, making it harder for illegally sourced aluminium to enter the supply chain.
The mandatory certificate of origin will enhance traceability, ensuring that all exported aluminium products can be verified as legitimately sourced.
Beyond regulation, GIADEC’s vision includes socio-economic empowerment through youth entrepreneurship training programs. These programs will focus on responsible sourcing, small-scale traditional smelting of cans, and domestic fabrication of aluminium products, equipping young Ghanaians with skills and knowledge in the aluminium value chain.
The regulatory framework will also promote sustainable development by enforcing better environmental protocols and mitigating the ecological damage caused by informal processing. This aligns with global trends toward responsible resource management and enhances the long-term viability of Ghana’s aluminium sector.
By implementing these measures, GIADEC can transform the downstream aluminium sector from a hub of criminal activity and environmental concern into a vibrant, sustainable, and economically empowering contributor to Ghana’s national development.