New Cement Monitoring Committee tasked to tackle sub-standard products on Ghanaian market  

Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, has charged the newly inaugurated Portland Cement Monitoring Committee to work assiduously to curb the influx of inferior cement products onto the Ghanaian market.  

She said the cement industry played critical role in the development of infrastructure in the country, forming the foundation of all major infrastructure development, including roads, hospitals and housing.  

However, she expressed concern about the flooding of the market with substandard imported cement products, warning that such products if not checked could have dire consequences on the country’s infrastructure development.  

“These issues have the potential to affect the durability and safety of our infrastructure and the competitiveness of our local industries,” Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare said on Thursday when she inaugurated the nine-member Committee in Accra.  

The Committee is chaired by Mr. Noah Tumfo, Chief Director, Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry.  

It has Ms. Suweibatu Adam, Chief Director, Ministry of Environment,?Science, Technology and Innovation; Mr. Benjamin Yeboah, Director, National Welfare, Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA); Mr. Clifford Frimpong, Deputy Director-General,?Ghana Standards Authority and Reverend Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana, as members.  

The rest are; Mr. Emmanuel Gilbert Ohene, Deputy Commissioner (Ops), Customs Division of the   

Ghana Revenue Authority; Mr. Stephen Debrah Ablormeti, 1st Vice President,?Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA); Mr. Frank Huber, Managing Director,?GHACEM (AGI Representative) and Mr. Stephen Ampiaw, General Manager (Fishing Harbour), Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.  

Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare expressed government’s commitment to improving standards in the sector, stressing that the inauguration of the committee ? signified a renewed commitment to upholding the standards and integrity of Ghana’s cement industry.  

“By strengthening regulatory oversight, we aim to foster a stable and equitable market that supports sustainable progress,” she stressed.  

Among the Committee’s mandate are the enforcement of the relevant regulations governing the sector, conducting oversight and monitoring to ensure compliance, and collaborating with key institutions and stakeholders to safeguard quality standards, taking into consideration the price hike of the commodity.?  

Additionally, it is expected to provide recommendations to government on measures to sustain growth while protecting the interests of Ghanaians.  

The Minister assured the Committee of the Ministry’s support to enable it to effectively deliver on its mandate.  

Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare also called on cement manufacturers to reduce prices of their products to reflect the improved economic situation in the country and bring relief to Ghanaians.  

She said this would also help address the smuggling of inferior cement products into the country.  

“The cedi is stable, at least, let that show, let that reflect in our pricing because the fact that the cedi is gaining weight means that the citizenry, producers must all take the benefit. It can’t be one sided,” the Minister stressed.  

Mr. Tumfo, the Committee’s Chair, pledged work to address smuggling of inferior cement products into the country to sanitise the sector.  

“We will do our very best to ensure that the cement industry, which is very vital, for the economy doesn’t collapse,” he emphasised.  

Source: GNA  

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