The Ministry of Transport has assured Ghanaians that cement manufacturers have no justification to raise prices, following engagements with the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana, held jointly with the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry.
The assurances come after cement producers threatened a price hike, citing delays in the clearance of clinker at the ports.
Addressing a press conference in Parliament, Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe explained that the delays are due to ongoing dredging works at the ports, undertaken at the directive of the President to improve port capacity. The Minister noted that the works are on course to be completed by June 2026.
“His Excellency’s directives were that we should dredge the port, which we started dredging, and we got to where the depths of the clinker and the cement is. We have three berths there… Their problem was for assurance from government as to whether we were dredging the place for them to bring in big vessels. We had assured them the contract will end or will be finalised in June this year,” the Minister said.
The Saboba MP further noted that the government has taken steps to reduce operational costs for manufacturers during the dredging period. He stressed that, as a result, there is no basis for any increase in cement prices at this time.
“As a result of this problem, we are reducing the cost for them in doing business at the port because the turnaround time is very important. If you are in the port for the period that is allocated for you, you pay what they call demurrage. If the turnaround time is so quick that your goods will be cleared on time… you will not pay any demurrage and that will not bring in additional cost to you. It is our belief that that contribution will help them maintain or reduce prices for people,” he emphasised.
By Christabel Afful
