Ban importation of cement, govt told

Source: Daily Guide  -  Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, Strategy and Corporate Affairs Director, has called on government to immediately ban the importation of cement into the country...

He said the importation of bagged cement was crippling the cement industry in Ghana.
Dr. Dawson-Ahmoah made the appeal when the ..

..Minister of Trade and Industry, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah paid a working visit to Takoradi factory of GHACEM.
He said, “It is worthy to note that with a current surplus capacity of over two million tons per annum, local manufacturing companies have the installed capacity to meet the local demand for cement.

“There is no basis for the continued importation of bagged cement into the country.”

Dr. Dawson-Ahmoah also bemoaned unfair trade practices in the country’s cement industry and the unreliable power supply and charged the Minister to take action to address the problems.

He commended the Minister for taking keen interest in the Western Region as an industrial hub to move the economy forward.

Mr Spio-Garbrah, in his remark, noted that Western Region has many resources available and industrial free zones, adding that the time has come for entrepreneurs to take advantage of the situation.

He commended GHACEM for continuously expanding its operation in the wake of numerous challenges.

“GHACEM’s compliance with tax laws, Corporate Social Responsibility and the use of local limestone for cement production is an example of a good corporate citizen and needs to be emulated by corporate entities for the growth of the industry,” Mr Spio-Garbrah said.

He gave the assurance that government would continue to support local industries to develop the country’s economy.