Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana voice out

The Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG), has voiced serious concerns regarding a proposed Legislative Instrument (LI) aimed at regulating cement prices, presented to Parliament by the Minister of Trade and Industry, K.T. Hammond.

COCMAG emphasized that the LI was introduced in Parliament without prior consultation with industry stakeholders. Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah (Bishop), CEO of COCMAG, criticized the proposal for lacking fairness, transparency, and inclusive decision-making. He highlighted its failure to address key factors behind the rise in cement prices, particularly the rapid depreciation of the Ghanaian cedi against the US dollar.

Dr. Dawson-Ahmoah stated, “The Minister’s unilateral introduction of this proposal to Parliament without engaging with us is not only unjust but also undermines the collaborative spirit and mutual respect essential for stabilizing and advancing our industry.”

“In light of these concerns, we respectfully urge Parliament to reject the proposed Legislative Instrument and direct the Minister of Trade and Industry to initiate discussions with the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers and other relevant stakeholders. These discussions are crucial for identifying and resolving the underlying causes of price increases. Through such a cooperative approach, we can develop effective and sustainable solutions that accommodate the interests of all parties involved.”

“We are confident that Parliament will give due consideration to our petition to ensure that the perspectives of the cement industry’s primary stakeholders are acknowledged and valued,” excerpts from the petition stated.

Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah reaffirmed COCMAG’s commitment to collaborating with the government to foster a stable and prosperous cement industry in Ghana.