The Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG), has expressed deep concern over the growing influx of imported bagged cement, particularly from Togo.
According to the Chamber, the unregulated entry of these products poses a grave threat to the survival and competitiveness of Ghana’s local cement industry.
In a formal communication to the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MOTAI), Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah (Bishop), Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, revealed that foreign cement brands especially those originating from Togo are rapidly flooding the Ghanaian market.
He noted that most foreign cement imports bypass mandatory product certification processes of the Ghana Standards Authority, raising safety concerns about the integrity of buildings and infrastructure across the country. Beyond safety, the situation is distorting market dynamics and undermining fair competition.
The Chamber advised that if urgent measures are not taken, Ghana could face widespread job losses, reduced domestic production, and a slowdown in industrial growth potentially undermining the government’s broader industrialization agenda.
As part of its recommendations, the Chamber is urging the Ministry to urgently investigate the matter and adopt corrective measures. These include stricter enforcement of import regulations, a review of current trade policies, and the introduction of protective interventions to safeguard the viability of local cement producers.
“The long-term sustainability of Ghana’s cement industry and, by extension, the country’s economic transformation efforts depend on swift and decisive action,” the Chamber stressed.
The Chamber also highlighted the imbalance in ECOWAS trade practices.
“While cement from Togo and other countries easily enters Ghana, Ghanaian cement faces significant barriers when attempting to access markets such as Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Nigeria due to strict policies even under the ECOWAS trade framework. This, the Chamber noted, has effectively turned Ghana into a dumping ground, with no reciprocal benefits for its local industry.
COCMAG is therefore calling on the government to implement protective policies for the cement sector, similar to measures adopted by neighbouring countries, to ensure fair competition and industrial growth.
“We remain committed to working closely with the Ministry and all relevant stakeholders to address this matter constructively and collaboratively,” the Chamber affirmed.
