Tamale cement prices and shortages addressed, Ghana

Cement prices in Tamale, the capital of the Northern Region of Ghana and the Tamale Metropolitan District, have risen above the official value to GHS20/bag (US$11.5), according to local media reports.

A cement shortage has also been reported on the market, affecting ongoing construction works in the regional capital.

Northern Regional Minister, Moses Bukari Mabengba, has held discussions with cement dealers and those citizens of Tamale affected by the shortage to assess the situation.

Chairman of the Cement Dealers Association, Alhaji Abdul Razak, attributed the price increases to demand exceeding supply, a situation, it was noted, that should be address by manufacturers. Rising transport costs are also said to be behind the price hike. Mr Razak told Joy News TV that a bag of cement should be sold at GHS18 instead of the current going price of GHS20. He said the Association will work towards ensuring members sell products at the approved rate.