Accra, March 31, GNA - Ghacem Cement Foundation, as part of its programme of offering assistance to national development, has so far donated about 100,000 bags of cement to 640 beneficiary communities, mostly in the Northern Sector.

Ghacem Limited, which is a major cement producer and distributor, last year, paid 22 million dollars as part of its tax obligation to the State, Mr Morten Gade, Managing Director of the Company, said in an interaction with media personnel in Accra.

He said the Company was concerned about the escalating and uneven price of cement adding that this was why it had been careful since July 2005 not to raise the price of the commodity even though the cost of the raw materials had been rising.

He said the Company had increased its capacities at its Tema and Takoradi factories and was investing in additional capacities. It was also making efforts to improve the functions of its regional depots for efficient services.

Mr Gade said the Company was now facing stiff competition from other producers and importers of cement but would live up to its responsibility of maintaining its status as producer of high quality cement to serve the Ghanaian market.

He said the Company was committed to creating employment and tapping the use of local raw materials such as limestone to produce cement and to make Ghacem more competitive.

Mr Gade said the Company was streamlining its operations in view of the many challenges, especially the pricing of the commodity, and was looking for cheaper transportation sources to at least make the price of cement on the local market affordable.

He appealed to the Government to protect local industries given the rising cost of production.