A Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Carlos Ahenkorah, says government intends to temporarily ban the importation of cement into the country to boost the operations of local manufacturers.
He says if local manufacturers can ensure fair pricing and halt regular increases; this could fast track the intent.
Ghana currently has four cement brands, but other brands are still imported into the country.
Speaking at the 2019 Customer Awards Dinner of CIMAF Cement, the Deputy Minister said “I would like to also mention that we have tried very hard not to allow any cement importation into Ghana and that is going to be the case for a very long time to come except and only except when you the cement manufacturing companies decide to turn yourselves into cartels”.
As an organization that aspires to be a recognized cement operator, CIMAF Ghana has for the past three years existed strategically in Ghana diversifying offers and enhancing the country’s industrial fabric. It produces, markets, and develops materials and service for the construction sector in general.
In an effort to appreciate its distributors, CIMAF organized the 2019 Customer Awards Dinner at the Marriot Hotel in Accra.
The awards came in the categories of promising distributors, regional and national distributors, with the Best National performance and loyalty customers going out to Daavi Bless Enterprise, Estaarion Ventures, Fullness cement, Nana K Gyasi Company Ltd and K Ofori Enterprise.
Carlos Ahenkrah speaking at the event also called on the Roads and Highway Minister, Kwasi Amoako Atta, to rely largely on local cement for the construction of major roads in the country.
He says “I was hoping that my Minister for Roads would have been here because I want to find out why we as a country have not tried to use cement for our roads for once and see how it plays out? There are cases where we tar our roads and after three years they are washed off. Ghana is the only country that I see rain water being able to dissolve coal tar, I have not seen anywhere in my life. But I think if we decide to change the modus operandi and try using cement as the base for our roads, somebody should do the comparison, somebody should do the costing”.
Director of Sales and Marketing at CIMAF Cement, Joseph Kobina Aboo, said “This year is an election year and as we see always, there is hope that many projects will come up. That means; we are hopeful for a good year in business. We will entreat you not to compromise on quality.”
CIMAF also marked its 3rd anniversary at the Awards Dinner to depict its commitment to provide genuine products onto the Ghanaian market.