The export of scrap metal in Ghana is considered a criminal offense

The International Union of Energy, Processing and Processing Energy Enforcement Employees fully supports the Ghana government’s proposal to consider scrap metal exports to a criminal offense. The country's leadership goes to such measures in order to protect and support the local steel industry. The new Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Harun Iddrisu, proposed to introduce this issue into the framework of the law.

This initiative is an attempt to suppress black scrap exporters that ignore administrative requirements. Despite the ban on the export of scrap of metals, the metallurgical industry of Ghana continues to experience difficulties, and is loaded only at 30% of the power. The country does not have its own iron ore reserves. Therefore, export of scrap metal from Ghana leads to a lack of raw materials, pose a threat to the survival of the steel industry. The fact is that China, Thailand and Malaysia offer a more attractive scrap price than the one that local enterprises can afford.

Representatives of the steel industry believe that the proposed bill will not solve all problems. For local metallurgy, financial support is needed to create mutually beneficial working conditions with suppliers of raw materials. The International Industrial Union, created in June 2012 and uniting 50 million workers from 140 countries, collaborates with the Ghana government in the fight against the export of scrap metal from the country and defends the interests of workers. The illegal export of scrap metal led to a reduction in 700 workplaces of the Wahome steel company.