Tamale: Mr Abudulai Batiah Santi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Strategy and Investor Relations at the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), has held an engagement with members of the Northern Regional Scrap Dealers Association in Tamale. The meeting is part of a nationwide exercise aimed at streamlining activities, assessing opportunities, and addressing challenges faced by scrap dealers, with a focus on enhancing productive and inclusive operations.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Santi underscored the critical role scrap dealers play in the nation's development. He emphasized that their efforts contribute significantly to infrastructure growth, as scraps are utilized by melters to produce iron rods essential for construction and manufacturing industries. Despite their contributions, scrap dealers encounter challenges such as limited access to credit, unfair pricing, and social stigma.
The meeting aimed to foster stronger collaboration to improve operations and livelihoods. Mr Santi revealed plans for a national forum for the leadership of scrap dealers across the country, with the objective of gathering input to develop a legislative framework to regularize the sector. He expressed gratitude for the scrap dealers' continuous support and assured them of GIISDEC's commitment to implementing policies that would revitalize the sector.
Mr Abdulai Issahaku, Vice Chairman of the Northern Region Scrap Dealers Association, commended GIISDEC for the engagement, viewing it as a testament to the corporation's commitment to building a vibrant industry. He conveyed the association's readiness to collaborate with GIISDEC on policies and interventions to sustain and grow their businesses.
GIISDEC, established in May 2019 through the Act of Parliament (Act 988), aims to promote and develop an integrated iron and steel industry through policy formation and implementation, as well as fostering public-private partnerships.
