Cement Manufacturers Ghana (CMG) has hinted that the price of the commodity will be seeing an increase from the current GH¢58 cedis to at least GH¢66 due to the increased cost of production and the heavy depreciation of the Cedi against the US Dollar.
Cement is a very important building material and for builders getting high-quality cement at affordable prices in Ghana is a must.
Luckily, the boom in the Ghanaian construction industry has drawn many big cement countries from other parts of Africa and the world. Today, the country boasts of a lot of reputable cement companies who produce most of the high-quality cement used in constructing the country’s infrastructure.
Over the years, however, developments like inflation and demand and supply have affected the price of cement in Ghana but today, the building material is more expensive than it was a few years ago with several top brands fixing almost the same price.
Executive Secretary of Cement Manufacturers Ghana Rev. Dr George Dawson Amoah said cement price increments are effect across the board due to elements of taxes, freight cost and other production costs that is killing cement manufacturers.
“Price increases happen to every product but when it happens to cement it becomes a national issue. This time around we are going to increase the price”, he said earlier in an interview on 3FM with Alfred Ocansey monitored by MyNewsGh.com about a November 2021 increment.
While commending the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority for its effort to ameliorate the impact of freight on their input, Rev Dr. Amoah said the main reason why prices go up is that all the raw materials needed for cement production are imported and the cost of import is now very high.
“The main cause is the cost of production.. covid has led to freight charges.. cost of raw materials….. the major component is imported, clinker… We have some in the North which Diamond cement is utilizing it is still not enough. As of now, the freight rate is killing us. Apart from that is even the availability of cargo and cost”, Rev Dr. Dawson Amoah said.
“When it comes to Ghana we have taxes to deal with as cement Manufacturers. You are charging us fumigation charges. How do you fumigate stones?” he asked.