The Ministry of Trade and Industry has enacted a suspension on the issuance of permits for the establishment of new manufacturing and packaging facilities for Portland cement. This directive, effective as of September 13, 2023, was communicated through a statement signed by the Minister of Trade and Industry, KT Hammond. The statement emphasizes that all procedures leading to the approval of such permits are on hold until further notice.

0

The ministry also instructed regulatory bodies to ensure strict compliance with this directive. However, the statement did not provide specific reasons for this decision.“The Ministry of Trade and Industry hereby directs that effective 13th September 2023, No permits shall be granted or issued for the construction of new factories for the manufacture and bagging of cement.

1

“All processes leading to the granting of such permits are hereby suspended until further notice. Regulatory institutions are to take note for immediate release and compliance,” the Ministry said in its statement.For additional information, you can access the full statement from the Ministry of Trade and Industry through the provided link.

2

About Ghana's cement industry:Cement is a fundamental component in civil engineering projects, and various grades of cement, such as 32.5R, 42.5R, and 52.5R, denote its strength.Some of the prominent cement brands in the Ghanaian market include Ghana Cement (GHACEM), Western DIAMOND Cement (DIAMOND), CIMAF Cement, DANGOTE Cement, SUPACEM Cement, Dzata Cement, Savanna Cement, CBI Ghana Ltd, Xin An Safe Cement, and Wan Heng Ghana Ltd.

3

Due to the significant infrastructural development in Ghana, there has been a surge in cement demand, leading to the introduction of new cement products in the market. Some companies import cement products and package them in Ghana.

4

Notably, the Ghanaian government reportedly spends around $350 million annually to import approximately 85 percent of the raw materials required for cement production, with clinker and gypsum being the primary imports.Research indicates that Portland cement is the most widely used type of cement globally.

5