The planned increase in cement prices has been suspended following an engagement between the Ministers for Transport and Trade and Agribusiness, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), and cement manufacturers.
The meeting comes amid concerns from cement producers over mounting demurrage charges and delays in clearing goods at Ghana’s ports.
Cement manufacturers had warned that the rising costs associated with delays at the ports could eventually force them to increase the price of cement, with potential consequences for consumers and the construction industry.
Before the meeting with the cement manufacturers, the two ministers toured the Tema Port, led by the Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Major General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono.
The tour was intended to give the ministers a first-hand understanding of the congestion and challenges affecting the clearance of goods at the port.
The congestion at Ghana’s ports has become a growing concern for businesses, importers and other stakeholders, as prolonged delays in clearing cargo continue to attract additional costs.
Among those affected are cement manufacturers, who say the delays are contributing significantly to increased demurrage charges.
Demurrage is a fee charged when imported goods or containers remain at a port beyond the period allowed by shipping lines or port operators.
According to manufacturers, the accumulation of such charges is increasing their operational costs and putting pressure on the prices of cement.
The engagement between the government, GPHA and cement manufacturers focused on the causes of the congestion, the accumulation of demurrage charges and measures to speed up the clearance of goods.
The Transport Minister said government was concerned about the impact of the delays on businesses and was working with the relevant stakeholders to address the situation.
“We need to find a lasting solution to the challenges at the ports and ensure that businesses are not unnecessarily burdened with additional costs.”
The Minister for Trade and Agribusiness also emphasised the need to address the challenges to prevent rising port-related costs from being passed on to consumers.
“Our objective is to protect businesses and consumers while ensuring that the port operates efficiently.”
For cement manufacturers, the immediate concern is that continued delays could result in further increases in production and distribution costs.
An increase in cement prices could have a wider impact on Ghana’s construction sector, where cement remains one of the most important building materials.
Developers, contractors and individual home builders are already dealing with high construction costs, and any significant increase in cement prices could further raise the cost of building projects.
The suspension of the planned price increment therefore provides temporary relief to consumers while government and industry stakeholders work to resolve the underlying challenges at the ports.
The Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Major General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, assured the public that measures were being implemented to address the congestion.
He said the authority was working to decongest the port before the end of October.
“Measures have been put in place to decongest the port, and we are confident that the situation will improve before the end of October.”
The assurance will be closely watched by importers and manufacturers, particularly those whose businesses depend on the timely clearance of goods.
For now, the planned increase in cement prices remains suspended as government engages stakeholders to tackle the congestion, reduce demurrage charges and improve the efficiency of cargo clearance at the ports.
The outcome of these interventions will be critical in determining whether cement prices can remain stable in the coming months.
