Local cement producers (LCPs) have commended government for taking a giant step to address the influx of imported bagged cement in the country by giving a directive to the Tariff advisory board to investigate the matter.

A statement issued by the Strategy and Corporate Affairs Director of Ghacem, Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah -- who doubles as the Coordinator of the LCP, praised government for taking a giant step to find lasting solutions for the matter -- lamenting that the influx of imported bagged cement is affecting the sales of local cement producers in the country.

According to the statement, such a move when enforced will heighten the local cement industry to create more employment, make financial contributions to the state, and embark on Corporate Social Responsibility programmes which have the impetus for accelerated development.

Dr. Dawson expressed optimism for a positive response from government after it gets the report from the Tariff advisory board, stressing the LCPs have the installed production capacity to meet increasing demand for cement in the country.

Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, who is also Chairman of the Made in Ghana Goods Committee of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), recalled that the collapse of most local industries in the country is mostly due to similar unfair trade practices -- citing the steel, textiles and aluminum industries as some of the sectors which have been badly affected in recent times.

He vowed to coordinate with its members, which includes Diamond Cement, Savannah Cement, Western Diamond Cement and other cement producers to see to the end of what he described as an economic menace to save the economy from collapse.

Dr. Dawson disclosed that a petition has been made to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Gabrah, who has directed the Tariffs advisory board to investigate the matter -- of which Dr. Dawson stressed “LCPs cannot wait to see the outcome”.