The Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. K. T. Hammond has directed the newly constituted Cement Manufacturing Development Committee to ensure uniformity in cement prices nationwide.

This directive comes in response to the need for a similar pricing structure to the petroleum retail sector, where prices are consistent across the country. Hon. Hammond emphasized the importance of retail prices being reasonably close to factory prices to prevent significant markups.

Mr Hammond indicated that legislative measures were put in place to regulate the industry as a result of the challenges associated with the quality and standards within the manufacturing sector.

“This legislation paved the way for the establishment of the committee to oversee pricing practices and ensure compliance with set standards. By engaging with experts and industry partners, we can drive positive change and create a cleaner and healthier environment for current and future generations.”
Hon. K. T. Hammond, Minister f Trade and Industry

The minister gave the directives in Accra when he swore in members of the newly established Cement Manufacturing Development Committee, which is now responsible for the regulation of the cement industry.

The committee was established following the Ghana Standards Authority’s (Manufacture of Cement) Regulations, 2023 (LI 2480), which mandates the establishment of a nine-member committee to oversee the development and growth of the local manufacture of cement and to monitor and coordinate activities in the manufacture of cement in line with the stipulations of the legislative instrument.

Chaired by the Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Professor Alex Dodoo, the nine-member committee includes Francis Kojo Eshun also from the GSA.

The rest are Kofi Addo of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Gyimah Mohammed of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Saeed Foroco of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Ebenezer Kwesi Haizel of the Ghana Institution of Engineering.

The committee also has Dr. Frank Huber representing the Association of Ghana Industries, Bishop Dr. George Dawson Ahmoah from the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers of Ghana, and Dr. Mark Bediako, an expert in the manufacture of cement, nominated by the minister.

Cement Manufacturing Development Committee’s guidelines

Addressing concerns about substandard products in the industry, Mr Hammond instructed the committee to closely monitor operations, particularly those of three Chinese-owned manufacturers in the Ashanti Region that were shut down last year due to non-compliance and the use of substandard raw materials in their production.

He highlighted two entities operating without permits and urged swift action to rectify their status.

Emphasizing transparency and public awareness, Mr Hammond stressed the importance of informing the nation about the committee’s role and the regulatory framework in place.

The minister underscored his vision for consistent retail prices across the country, emphasizing that factory and retail prices should be maintained at reasonable margins to prevent price discrepancies. As a result, he instructed the cement manufacturers to publish their factory prices in newspapers with nationwide circulation to inform the consuming public.

The Cement Manufacturing Development Committee, established under the Ghana Standards Authority (Manufacture of Cement) Regulations, 2023, will establish specific guidelines to regulate cement production in Ghana. These guidelines will focus on ensuring the industry operates effectively, upholds quality standards, and complies with environmental and safety regulations.

According to the Minister, the committee was tasked to offer recommendations on the approval of applications for registration and licensing of cement companies. This ensures that only companies meeting the necessary standards and regulations can operate within the industry.

Transparency and public awareness are emphasized, with Hammond stressing the importance of informing the public about the committee’s role and the regulatory framework in place. The committee aims to collaborate with industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies to establish and enforce strict guidelines for cement production, focusing on sustainability and environmental responsibility.