A growing shortage of major cement brands has hit Ghana, with dealers attributing the disruption to a critical scarcity of clinker, a key raw material in cement production. Apexnewsgh reports
Brands like SOL Cement, Empire Cement, and Dzata Cement have become increasingly difficult to find, following a GH¢9 price hike on all cement products driven by rising port charges.
Retailers are struggling to restock, leading to immediate consequences, including turning away customers and losing revenue. Augustine Aduful, a cement retailer with over a decade of experience, expressed frustration, saying, “As for the shortage, it happens every time. You pay, but then you’re told to wait for delivery. As I speak, they are short of clinker.”
Dealers are calling for government intervention to address the clinker shortage, which they say is caused by overseas supply issues. Isaac Frimpong, another dealer, reported being out of stock of the 32.5R grade of Ghacem cement for several weeks, forcing customers to switch to alternatives like Diamond Cement.
Emmanuel Cherry, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry, is pushing for a broader stakeholder dialogue to explore local alternatives to clinker. He suggests collaborating with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Building and Road Research Institute (CSIR-BRRI) to develop viable alternatives.
The shortage has sparked renewed debate over Ghana’s heavy dependence on imported clinker and the long-term sustainability of its cement supply chain. With the manufacturing sector struggling to cope, stakeholders are urging the government to explore ways to add value to local raw materials and reduce reliance on imported clinker.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
