GARCC, AMA shut down two recycling firms over alleged purchase of stolen ECG cables

A joint task force led by the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has shut down NN Est Metal Company Ltd and BlancoMet Recycling over allegations of purchasing stolen Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) cables and other electrical equipment.

The enforcement operation, conducted on Tuesday, was led by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, with support from the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, and the Municipal Chief Executive for Ablekuma Central, Frank Nkansah. The exercise formed part of a renewed drive to sanitise the Agbogbloshie enclave and clamp down on criminal networks exploiting public infrastructure.

The team visited the Old Onion Market at Agbogbloshie and selected recycling yards following intelligence reports that stolen streetlight cables and other ECG equipment were being sold through scrap dealers and channelled to specific recycling facilities for the extraction and trade of copper.

Speaking after the operation, the Regional Minister said the exercise was also aimed at enforcing earlier directives at Agbogbloshie, which she noted had been declared toxic and unsafe for human habitation.

She explained that preliminary checks at the two facilities uncovered quantities of what she described as “fresh” electrical cables and other equipment, including items typically found in warehouses. These findings, she said, reinforced suspicions that stolen public assets were being traded through the yards.

Following the discoveries, the Regional Minister directed the temporary closure of NN Est Metal Company Ltd and BlancoMet Recycling to allow for further investigations. She added that security personnel had been deployed to secure the premises while relevant state agencies were notified to take over subsequent investigative actions.

Authorities say investigations into the alleged activities are ongoing.