Members of the Western Regional Branch of the Ghana Cement Distributors Association have expressed their concern at the frequent increases in the factory price of cement by GHACEM within the past three month. They said that since December 2003 the factory price of a bag of cement had been increased thrice from 37,350 cedis to 42,750 cedis as at February 24 2004. Mr. Kofi Afari Appiah, Chairman of the association flanked by other executive members said these increases were often made without notice or explanation thereby causing anxiety and suspicion among retailers and consumers. He therefore appealed to the government " to look into the matter", especially when the recent budget did not impose additional tax burden on industry or the people.
Dr Dawson Ahmoah, Marketing Director of GHACEM, told the GNA in a telephone interview that the Company was forced to increase prices because freight charges have gone up more than 300 per cent since October 2003 (sic). Dr Ahmoah said anytime freight charges went down Ghacem would adjust the prices accordingly. He also said the Company had identified a limestone deposit at Yongua in the Eastern Region and was awaiting a mining licence adding that once local raw materials are used prices would be adjusted.
