The Scrap Dealers Association in Ghana has announced plans to launch an identification and registration of its members, providing them with identification cards.
National President Mr Abdul Wahab, who announced this, expressed concern over the rising trend of mob justice against its members, specifically highlighting the recent lynching of two scrap dealers in the Ashanti Region.
Following the deaths of two members, identified as Alhasan and Nagolo, at Ntensere in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District on March 18, 2026, he voiced his outrage, citing that members are frequently attacked based on false accusations.
He stated that dealers are often attacked under the pretext of being thieves or child snatchers without concrete evidence.
According to him, anyone could be a victim of these false accusations, and he warned that innocent lives are being lost, asserting, “We are not thieves; people should stop killing us.”
He stated that the incident has left them shocked and confused, as they never expected such violence to happen to their colleagues.
According to him, the matter is still under investigation, and they are working closely with their leaders to understand exactly what happened and decide on the next steps.
He announced that efforts were underway to meet with branch leaders across the country to address the situation.
He also expressed concern about the increasing attacks on their members, including cases where they are beaten and robbed because people wrongly assume scrap dealing is a “bad” or “fungi youth” job.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM, Mr Wahub Abdullah explained that scrap dealers play an important role in keeping the country clean and contributing to the economy. He stressed that the work should not be seen as criminal, adding that many people in the business earn a decent living and support their families through it.
He further explained that some of the accusations against scrap dealers are false.
He indicated that there are cases where individuals pretend to sell old items, only to later call the police and accuse the dealers of theft.
In other situations, criminals disguise themselves as scrap dealers and steal from people, which then brings a bad name to the real workers in the industry.
“To address these challenges, we have planned to introduce ID cards for all genuine scrap dealers. This will help the public easily identify legitimate members and separate them from imposters. We also intend to work with media houses to create awareness about the new system and educate the public on how to identify certified dealers.
Genuine scrap dealers operate with rules and regulations. We don’t take items without permission and always agree on a price before collecting anything. If a person refuses to sell, they simply leave. We are therefore calling on the government to step in and help protect their members, as the ongoing attacks and misunderstandings are affecting their safety and livelihood.
As an association we urge the public to stop labelling scrap dealers as criminals and instead recognise the important role they play in society. With proper identification and public education, the situation can improve and prevent further harm to their members. And also plead with the government to come in for them.”
By: Justina Ekua Kwofie and Rashid Obodai Provencal/Rainbow Radio Online.com
