Ghana’s premier cement manufacturer, Ghacem will from next week start training block-makers across the country to equip them with skills on the best grade of cement for blockmaking.

The innovation, which is under the Ghacem Cement Academy, is a flagship program of the manufacturing company aimed at reducing unemployment as well as improving the manufacturing of cement blocks in the country.

Speaking at the launch of the program in Accra on Wednesday, Mr Morton Garde, Managing Director of Ghacem called on government to create an enabling environment for the growth of local manufacturers.

Mr. Garde explained that the training will create jobs and develop skills of persons.

“Last year, Ghacem contributed about GHC250 million to the Ghanaian economy through taxes and other royalties.” he stated.

Mr Garde further added that his outfit is committed to providing local cement block manufactures the technical knowhow. This is to help them improve upon their work.

According to him, the Ghacem Cement Academy will help optimise the use of cement to derive the best from the product.

“If you make good use of the cement in a professional way, you will be able to make things beautiful for yourself,” he said. Board Chairman of Ghacem, Nana Prah Agyensem VI pledged his support to the construction of the maternity blocks at the Komfo Anokye Hospital under the initiative of the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo.

Nana Prah VI was of the opinion that block manufacturing is no longer an unskilled work, hence the need for the training.

He also added, “Training leading to skill acquisition is needed in the production of quality blocks. Quality blocks used in the construction of buildings and factories gives assurance and comfort to users.”

According to him, the Ghacem Cement Academy will provide the block manufacturers the skills to enable them reach an improved level.

On his part, Nana Philip Archer, Commercial Director of Ghacem indicated that, the company will never rest until we are satisfied that Ghanaians are served with the best cement blocks for all construction works. This is the foundation upon which the Ghacem Cement Academy was founded.

According to him, the program commences from June 6 in the Greater Accra Region and will cover the rest of the regions by end of this year.

“We hope that by the time the year ends, we will have had about 14 training modules across the country. Our technical team have put up a module with other consultants who will take care of the theoretical and practical work of the training. The refreshing part is that the training will not only equip people on how to use cement to mould blocks, but also to teach them the business aspect of making blocks,” he asserted.

He further advised consumers not to accept that one type of cement product can be used for all forms of construction works.

Ghacem further launched its mobile application which is aimed at making information accessible to its customers. In future, the application will make customers pay online for.