Takoradi Scrap Dealers Demand GH¢330,000 Refunds from NDC Executives After National Security Halts ‘Unauthorized’ Railway Scrap Operation
A group of self-proclaimed National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters among scrap dealers in Takoradi are up in arms, demanding full refunds of GH¢330,000 each from party executives after their operations to dismantle 100 tons of railway materials near Takoradi Harbour were abruptly shut down by National Security operatives.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, when security forces intervened at an old railway shed within the port, where teams of about 10 dealers were cutting up metal scraps including railway wagons and rails.
The operatives declared the materials not legally approved for scrapping, citing a lack of clearance from the Transport Ministry and Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL).
The Alleged Deal Gone Wrong
Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved group, dealer Alhaji Razak claimed they had paid the hefty sum to a committee of local political figures, including NDC constituency executives from Sekondi-Takoradi and Effia Kwesimintsim Municipality.
The payment, he said, was to secure access to the surplus metal, which they were told was up for auction by the railway authorities.54a7004cc8f7
“We paid GH¢330,000 per 100 tons to Chairman Seidu, the NDC constituency chairman in Effia,” Razak told reporters, accusing the committee of misleading them into believing the deal was legitimate.eab380d6ad31 The dealers, operating in groups, now face significant losses and are planning to petition the NDC Western Regional Executives for intervention – either a full refund or unrestricted access to the materials.
NDC Denials and Internal Tensions
The controversy has sparked swift denials from NDC leadership. Nana Kojo Toku, the Western Regional Chairman, issued a strongly worded statement on November 8, dismissing the allegations as “baseless, mischievous, and a deliberate fabrication” by detractors aiming to tarnish his reputation.
Toku, who is spearheading railway infrastructure upgrades including a Chinese-backed electric train project on the Western Line, insisted any dealings by local chairmen with scrap dealers occurred without his knowledge.
Adam Seidu, the Effia Constituency Chairman implicated in the payments, has also refuted claims of shady dealings. In a November 14 response, he asserted the scrap sale was authorized by the Transport Ministry and GRCL, urging the dealers to seek refunds through proper channels rather than dragging the party into the fray.
The NDC’s internal rift highlights broader concerns over accountability in resource management, especially as the party settles into power following its 2024 victory. Regional executives have promised a probe, but the dealers remain adamant, warning of escalation if unresolved.
Implications for Ghana’s Rail Revival
The seized materials are part of surplus stock earmarked for disposal to fund railway modernization. With Ghana investing heavily in rail infrastructure – including the Western Line overhaul – such incidents raise red flags about unauthorized sales potentially undermining national assets.
National Security has secured the site, and investigations are ongoing to verify the transaction’s legitimacy. The dealers, meanwhile, vow not to back down: “We supported the NDC, and now they must support us,” Razak added.
