Rising transportation costs, fluctuating fuel prices, a depreciating cedi, and raw material shortages have been identified as the major drivers behind Ghana’s surging cement prices, according to cement manufacturers during a visit by Parliament’s Works and Housing Committee.
During a working visit to CIMAF Ghana Limited and African Cement, the Committee, led by its Chairman, Hon. Vincent Asamoah, heard firsthand accounts of the mounting pressures faced by manufacturers.
At CIMAF, management attributed the escalating cost of cement to a complex mix of logistics challenges, fuel price fluctuations, long delivery distances, clinker shortages, and the weakening Ghanaian cedi.
These issues, they explained, have significantly raised the cost of production and distribution.
Similarly, African Cement pointed to high transportation costs, especially in reaching remote areas; rising global prices of raw materials, and growing tax obligations as contributing factors to the price hikes and intermittent shortages.
Hon. Vincent Asamoah acknowledged the concerns and assured the companies that Parliament is committed to working with relevant ministries to address the systemic issues inflating cement prices.
He also urged African Cement to consider expanding operations to meet growing national demand and ease supply pressures.
“These challenges are real, and Parliament will do its part to ensure we stabilise the situation,” he said.
For many Ghanaians, the increasing cost of cement has made construction projects more expensive, putting a strain on families and businesses alike.
