Ghana: government blamed for Diamond Cement downsizing

The Afloa Youth Association in the Volta region have accused the Ghanaian government of being insensitive towards the downsizing of local cement manufacturer Diamond Cement as a result of competition with Dangote Cement.

Diamond Cement has repeatedly voiced concerns regarding Dangote’s involvement in the retail of cement in Ghana, saying it is unfair competition. Dangote’s presence in the country is speculated to have reduced Diamond Cement's annual production from 1.8m bags to 1.3m bags.

The Alfoan youth group, predominantly made up from casual workers of Diamond Cement, said the situation is threatening their livelihoods as local cement businesses cannot compete. The group said, “hundreds of our brothers and sisters have been directly employed by this company, thousands indirectly and the clear and present danger posed by cement importation to the continued existence of Diamond Cement, has created some uneasiness among those who directly and indirectly earn their upkeep from the company and their dependents.”

The group have continued to question the government’s resolve to create jobs for the unemployed youth of Ghana.