By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
Cement manufacturers across the country have defied an order given by the Cement Manufacturing Development Committee (CMDC) to declare their ex-factory prices.
The CMDC’s directives, contained in a letter dated May 21, 2025, ordered all cement manufacturers to submit their ex-factory prices for 50kg bags of cement (grades 32.5R (BL) and 42.5R (BL) by close of business on May 23, 2025.
The directive was issued under the Ghana Standards Authority (Pricing of Cement) Regulations, 2024 (L.I. 2491), which mandates the reporting of prices every month.
However, checks from the authority show none of the cement manufacturing companies have complied with directives as of May 27, 2025, four clear days after the Friday, May 23, 2025, deadline.
According to the committee, the declaration of ex-factory prices is mandated by law to look into the price build-up of manufacturers to ensure there are no hidden costs or unjustified tariffs that would fleece the consuming public.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the CMDC, Prof. Alex Dodoo, has confirmed that no manufacturer had complied with its May 21, 2025, directives.
He assured that his committee would convene an emergency meeting, possibly by the end of this week, to decide on preferred sanctions for non-compliant firms.
“The law is clear, and we will not hesitate to apply the necessary penalties.
Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2491 grants the committee the power to impose fines and other punitive measures, though specific sanctions remain undisclosed,” Prof. Dodoo reiterated.
The GSA (Manufacture of Cement) Regulation, 2023 (L.I. 2480), has already come into force to ensure the quality and safety of cement products in the country.
The regulation, which was approved unanimously by Members of Parliament (MPs), sets stringent standards and guidelines for cement production to safeguard consumers and promote industry best practices.
The LI, which was gazetted on November 23, 2023, took effect from December 22, 2023, making it mandatory for any entity intending to manufacture cement to obtain a licence.
