The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has responded to remarks made by Energy Commission Board Chairman, Prof. John Garchie Gatsi, regarding Ghana’s ports being used for substandard electrical cable imports.
IEAG expressed concern over the assertion, citing the stringent regulatory controls and operational safeguards in place for importing electrical goods.
The association emphasized that these controls are in place to ensure the quality of imported goods, and the suggestion that ports are conduits for substandard cables does not reflect the reality of the situation.
Ghana has a comprehensive import control system where electrical products arriving at ports are cleared into approved customs bonded warehouses or designated facilities. These goods are held pending inspection, testing, and certification by authorities including the Ghana Standards Authority and Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, working with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.
Under this system, consignments remain under customs control until conformity assessment procedures are completed and statutory approvals are granted, after which importers can move goods to their destinations. IEAG asserts that this framework is a highly effective mechanism for preventing substandard electrical cables from entering the market 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
IEAG supports improving regulatory frameworks, but emphasizes that reviews should focus on strengthening current systems, addressing loopholes, and boosting enforcement. The association suggests perceptions of Ghana’s ports as hubs for substandard imports are unhelpful. IEAG is committed to collaborating with regulators and stakeholders to protect lives, safeguard revenue, and promote compliant trade practices.
Report by Bernard K Dadzie Greater Accra Region
