The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) has directed that with effect from Friday 1st February 2013, companies or persons intending to export copper scrap metals from Ghana must seek clearance from Office of the National Security Coordinator.

A statement signed by Nana Akrasi Sarpong, acting Director of Communication and Public Affairs of the MOTI, copied to the GNA in Accra on Tuesday, said the clearance should be sought prior to submitting the consignment of the metals to the Ghana Standards Authority for inspection.

It explained that the measure was necessitated by the high incidence of disruption of underground communication infrastructure and theft of cables (copper wires) in some major cities of the country to dealers, who subsequently export same as copper scrap.

The statement warned that: “failure to comply with this directive will imply that the copper scrap metals intended for export will be seized and confiscated to the State and the exporter will also be liable to a fine.”