Ghana to restrict cement imports

The Ghanaian government has announced plans to restrict cement imports into the country with Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Minister of Trade and Industry, proposing the curtailment.

"The Ministry of Trade and Industry proposes through legislative instrument to impose a ceiling on the annual importation of cement into Ghana. Companies that wish to import bagged cement shall be issued a permit to avoid the chaos that has lately saddled the sector," the statement said.

Cement importers will have up to 31 March 2016 to register with the Ministry of Trade and Industry , which has stated that "Companies that are legitimately licensed under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme are exempted from the need to apply for permits."

He said cement imports, currently at around 1Mta, are exacerbating the supply glut. The country’s cement manufacturers have a total production capacity of about 9Mta while domestic demand is below 6Mta.

Local cement producers have applied repeatedly for government intervention on the issue. Diamond Cement Company in Aflao has in recent months protested against the importation of already bagged Dangote Cement from Nigeria.