Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has issued a direct call to cement manufacturers to immediately revisit their pricing structures in response to the recent strengthening of the Ghanaian cedi.
Speaking at a crucial meeting with members of the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG), the Minister questioned why cement prices remain unreasonably high despite clear macroeconomic improvements, particularly the cedi’s appreciation against major international currencies.
“It is time for consumers to feel the impact of a stronger cedi. The economic data is clear, and price adjustments must follow,” she told the gathering, which included top executives from Ghacem, CIMAF, CBI, Dangote, Dzata, Empire, and Diamond Cement.
The discussions, held amid mounting public frustration over escalating construction costs, focused on cement pricing formulas, product quality, and regulatory enforcement. Minister Ofosu-Adjare underscored that price relief for consumers was long overdue and warned that continued inaction by the industry would not be tolerated.
In a firm policy announcement, the Minister disclosed that the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) will, beginning August, ramp up its quarterly inspections across cement factories. Manufacturers failing to meet national standards will face shutdowns, she warned.
“The era of weak compliance is over. We will not allow substandard products or unjustified prices to dominate this essential market,” she said.
In response, cement manufacturers acknowledged the positive impact of the cedi’s recent stability and expressed openness to price revisions should the trend continue. They also reaffirmed their commitment to uphold rigorous product standards to ensure consumer safety and fair competition.
The outcome of the meeting signals a renewed push by government to confront pricing inconsistencies in Ghana’s construction sector and an unequivocal message that economic progress must translate into tangible benefits for the ordinary Ghanaian.
