Ghana is currently facing a nationwide cement shortage that has caused sharp price hikes and growing concern across the construction sector.
In response, the Chairman of Parliament’s Works and Housing Committee, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, is calling on the Ministry of Trade and Industry and relevant regulatory bodies to act swiftly—particularly by monitoring distribution channels to curb profiteering.
He made the appeal during a working visit to three major cement producers—GHACEM, Dangote, and Dzata Cement—in Accra.
During the tour, it was observed that only GHACEM and Dangote were operational. Dzata Cement had paused production due to ongoing maintenance and expansion works, with no clear timeline for resumption.
The shortage is attributed to a combination of factors including limited local production capacity, unreliable power supply, and Ghana’s heavy reliance on imported clinker—the main raw material in cement production. Disruptions in global supply chains have further worsened the situation.
Stakeholders in the construction industry have raised the alarm over price hikes, noting that distributors—not manufacturers—appear to be driving inflation by hoarding products and charging excessive margins.
Despite the worsening crisis, the government maintains it cannot regulate cement prices, citing the influence of demand and supply dynamics.
However, some policymakers are pushing for temporary relief measures, such as the importation of finished cement products, to stabilize the market.
GHACEM Managing Director, Frank Huber, assured the Committee that new products would soon be introduced to support affordable building. He also hinted at possible price reductions once supply improves.
The cement shortage is already affecting the housing sector, with escalating construction and rental costs in urban areas.
As pressure mounts, stakeholders are urging manufacturers to increase production and calling on the government to ensure fair and transparent distribution of cement nationwide.
Chairman Vincent Oppong Asamoah reiterated that immediate intervention is necessary to prevent further strain on the building sector and to protect consumers from exploitation.
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