Plans are underway for the government to regularize, train, and support the scrap dealing business, which has the potential to significantly contribute to the Ghanaian economy.
Mr. Oppong Amponsah Philip, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), made this known during a visit to the Mayor of Kumasi on Wednesday, May 28, 2024, as part of his nationwide tour.
He was accompanied by Mr. Joseph Obiri Yeboah, Director of Procurement at GIISDEC; Comfort Owusuaa, Strategy Officer at GIISDEC; and Mr. David Narteh of the Chamber of Iron and Steel.
He stated that the government considers the scrap dealing business as one with potential to flourish like cocoa, oil, gas, and cashew, with the right attention and investment.
Mr. Oppong Amponsah reiterated the government’s commitment to harnessing the potentials of the scrap business to create job opportunities, adequately feed the iron industry, and improve the economy.
He added that the government intends to train scrap dealers, introduce technology, offer financial support, and other interventions to make the business buoyant.
He explained that his nationwide visit would help him meet scrap dealers and other stakeholders to communicate the government’s plans and also seek their opinions to help formulate policies and regulations to improve their businesses.
Additionally, he hinted that the government intends to bring all scrap dealers under one umbrella, among other benefits, to regulate and make their business attractive to local and international investors so that they can compete in the international market.
Once they are able to lead the international market, he said, they will be able to dictate international prices.
The Mayor of Kumasi, Mr. Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadi, thanked the government for its decision to boost the scrap dealing business.
He promised that the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) stands ready to provide the right atmosphere to support the government in delivering its innovative plans to expand businesses.
Also present at the meeting was Mr. Francis Dwira Darko, Metropolitan Coordinating Director of Kumasi.
BY Thomas Awuah Asem
Kumasi
