Africa’s leading cement manufacturer, Dangote Company and other cement importers are in for tougher times in Ghana, following plans by government to restrict cement imports into the country.
To this end, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, has proposed to the parliament, the enactment of an Act “to propose a ceiling on the annual importation of cement into Ghana.”
Ghana has a production capacity of about 9 million metric tonnes per year, while national consumption is below 6 million; thus leaving an excess of about 3 million metric tonnes per annum.
Current imports into the country are above one million tonnes of cement per annum. This figure, according to the minister has aggravated the glut in the industry, thus the need for curtailment of cement imports.
Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, who conveyed the decision to restrict imports in a statement, also instructed all cement importers in the country to apply for permits.
However, companies legitimately licensed under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme were exempted from applying for permits.
