GHACEM, the leading cement producer in Ghana, has reported that domestic cement demand increased by a record 22 per cent last year on the back of robust economic growth and oil activity, particularly in the western region of the country.
Speaking at a GHACEM awards event, managing director Morten Gade, said his company is investing in expansion to improve capacity at both the Takoradi and Tema plants to meet rises in demand expected in 2012.
“GHACEM being mindful of the positive growth in the cement industry has already invested an additional capacity of 1Mt to bring the plant to 3.2Mt. I am happy to announce that the new mill will be up and running by November 2012 and plans are far ahead to increase Takoradi capacity shortly thereafter. This is being undertaken alongside the replacement of the two silos at the Takoradi factory this year”.
He highlighted that demand in the Western region has accelerated above the national average due to oil activities: “The discovery of the oil in Ghana creates accelerated development of the economy and GHACEM. As a market leader in the cement industry, we will continue to play a leading role in nation building. It is worth noting that the emerging oil industry contributed to a higher growth in the cement consumption of the Western Region compared to the national average. This region will most likely become one of the key markets of Ghana in addition to the key markets of Greater Accra and the Ashanti Region” Mr Gade noted.
