Cement sellers association

The Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana
(CMAG), has called for a halt in importation of
bagged cement because of its negative
consequences on the economy and the local
cement manufacturing industries.
A statement issued by the association said bagged
cement from China are under-declared and therefore
a huge loss to the economy and jeopardy to the
established local cement industries.
Since April 2015, the association had petitioned the
Ministry of Trade, Tariff Advisory board,
Commissioner of Customs Division of the Ghana
Revenue Authority, and the Parliamentary Select
Committees of Finance and Trade/Industry on the
alarming influx of imported bagged cement.
The association said Ghana does not need imported
cement because the local cement manufacturers
have the adequate installed capacities to sustain
employment, honour financial contributions, add
value, use local raw materials, maintain required
quality standards and meet the growing cement
demands.
Members of the local cement manufacturers,
comprising Ghacem Limited, Diamond Cement
Ghana, Savanna Diamond Cement and Western
Diamond Cement, together have installed capacities
of about 7.4 million tonnes per annum, whereas the
current consumption is only five million tonnes per
annum, leaving a surplus capacity of more than two
million tonnes.
The CMAG said the menace poses a set back and a
challenge to the Ministry of Trade and Industry and
the Association of Ghana industries’ promotion of
Made-in-Ghana products.
It noted that the cost and freight values of imported
cement are ridiculously under declared indicating
figures as low as between $25 and $30 per tonne
are declared as cost and freight from China.
“As seasoned manufacturers of cement with
international links, CMAG certainly knows that
these figures are incorrect, and attention have been
drawn to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana
Revenue Authority and the Tarrif Advisory Board.”
A total of about 500,000 tonnes bagged cement
have been imported into the country and CMAG
dares to say there is revenue loss of more than GH
₵50 million using those ridiculous cost and freight
values.
The cement industry contributes more than GH₵600
million annually in duties and taxes to the state.
Source: GNA