The Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) is drafting regulations to control activities in the downstream aluminium sector, aimed at tackling the growing cases of cable and aluminium theft across the country.
The initiative is being carried out with the support of the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
It seeks to address the illegal trade in aluminium scrap and related products, which officials say contributes to losses at state institutions such as the Electricity Company of Ghana.
The Chief Executive Officer of GIADEC, Mr Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah, in a statement issued last Friday, April 25, 2025 said the proposed regulations would cover activities including scrap dealing, casting, fabrication, and producing aluminium sheets, foils, rods, and other forms.
Recent investigations have linked cable theft to unregulated aluminium smelters, raising concerns about the sector's lack of supervision.
GIADEC’s plan includes the identification, registration, and certification of all downstream industry players. To improve traceability, it also proposes the introduction of a mandatory certificate of origin for aluminium imports and exports.
Officials say the measures are expected to reduce the demand for stolen materials and disrupt the operations of illegal smelters.
The corporation also intends to introduce environmental standards for smelting operations, addressing concerns over harmful practices used by informal processors.
The proposed measures are being developed under the powers granted to GIADEC and the Minister by the GIADEC Act, 2016 (Act 976), which mandates the development of policies for the effective management of Ghana’s aluminium industry.
GIADEC is an agency under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. It owns the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) and holds the government’s interest in the Ghana Bauxite Company.
