Jinsah Abdul-Matheen Sali, a Ghanaian businessman, has encouraged the Minister of Trade and Industry, Kwabena Tahir Hammond (KT Hammond), to adopt a more diplomatic approach to handle the impasse between his outfit and cement manufacturers in the country.

General Matheen told GhanaWeb in an interview that the current posture of the Trade Minister does not bode well for negotiations and that cool heads need to prevail.

He explained that the combative and public-oriented approach adopted by KT Hammond will only result in the manufacturers playing hardball and that urgent steps need to be taken to address the situation.

General Matheen noted worryingly that while the impasse between the government and the manufacturers continues, cement prices continue to rise, and it’s the common Ghanaian who feels the impact.

He is also concerned that the public nature of the verbal war might serve as a disincentive to potential investors who would have reservations about the Ghanaian business landscape.

“Normally, things like this shouldn’t come to the public because it does not inspire investor confidence. Investors elsewhere will be looking at this back and forth with worry because you don’t want to put your money in a country where such things happen.

“I believe that both parties have used the media to fight their case, and it’s time they return to the negotiating table and iron out issues. The ongoing saga does not help anyone, especially the government, because these manufacturers have the power to make and unmake administrations.

“It is my hope that the president or someone higher up will intervene quickly for an amicable settlement to be reached so that we can move on. The prices of cement are through the roof, and we need both the manufacturers and the government to find a mutually satisfying ground and help the common Ghanaian,” he said.

General Matheen’s advice follows a recent video where KT Hammond was spotted dismissing cement manufacturers at a meeting with the Chamber of Manufacturing.

A video from the meeting, called by the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industries, shows the minister insisting that the cement manufacturers depart before the meeting began.

"I was invited by the Chamber of Manufacturing, not the Association of Cement Manufacturers. Can they leave?" the minister requested.

He explained that he had already met with the manufacturers and that the purpose of this meeting was specifically to engage with the Chamber of Construction.

"It’s either I leave or they leave," the minister firmly stated, despite efforts from representatives of both associations to justify the manufacturers' presence.

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