The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has taken note of remarks made by the Board Chairman of the Energy Commission, Prof. John Garchie Gatsi, as reported by some news outlets, suggesting that Ghana’s ports are being used as conduits for the importation of substandard electrical cables.
IEAG wishes to respectfully express concern over this assertion, as it does not adequately reflect the stringent regulatory controls and operational safeguards that govern the importation of electrical goods through the country’s ports.
Ghana operates a comprehensive import control regime under which electrical products arriving through the ports are cleared into approved customs bonded warehouses or designated holding facilities pending inspection, testing, and certification by relevant authorities, including the Ghana Standards Authority and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, working in coordination with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.
Under this system, consignments remain under customs control until conformity assessment procedures are completed and statutory approvals granted. Only thereafter can importers move goods to their destinations. IEAG maintains that this framework represents one of the most effective mechanisms for preventing the circulation of substandard imported electrical cables through formal channels.
While IEAG acknowledges the serious risks posed by inferior electrical cables, including fire outbreaks, infrastructure damage, and threats to public safety, we submit that evidence from industry monitoring indicates that a significant proportion of such products enter the domestic market through unapproved routes and porous land borders, bypassing formal inspection and duty payment.
It is therefore important that enforcement efforts are broadened to address these high-risk entry points rather than portraying the ports, where multiple state agencies operate layered controls, as the primary source.
Enhancing Oversight at Bonded Warehouses
IEAG encourages the Energy Commission to strengthen collaboration with customs and other relevant agencies to enhance surveillance and regulatory supervision at designated bonded warehouses. This should include rigorous compliance monitoring, improved cargo tracking systems, and strict release authorization procedures to ensure that consignments under regulatory hold are not released, transferred, or distributed without formal conformity certification and statutory clearance.
Progress Made Through Port Enforcement
Operational improvements over recent years, including enhanced inspections, risk profiling, and inter-agency coordination, have contributed to a marked reduction in the incidence of non-compliant electrical cables detected through formal port channels. These measures demonstrate the commitment of port authorities and regulators to safeguarding quality and compliance.
The influx of substandard electrical cables remains a major national concern due to its implications for public safety, increased risk of electrical fires, loss of life and property, and significant revenue losses arising from smuggling and duty evasion. It also undermines fair competition by disadvantaging compliant importers.
IEAG therefore calls for strengthened stakeholder collaboration, including engagement with our Association, to develop practical solutions that address enforcement gaps across the entire supply chain.
Call for Policy Improvement Rather Than Overhaul
While IEAG supports continuous improvement of regulatory frameworks, we respectfully submit that any proposal to review existing policies should focus on strengthening and optimizing current systems, sealing operational loopholes, and improving enforcement effectiveness, rather than creating perceptions that Ghana’s ports are a breeding ground for substandard imports.
IEAG remains committed to working with regulators and stakeholders to protect lives, safeguard government revenue, and promote compliant and responsible trade practices.
Signed:
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Samson Asaki Awingobit
Executive Secretary
Tel: 0243575046
