Ghana Cement Manufacturers have announced that measures are being in place to increase the price of cement bag from GHS50 to at least GHS60 due to high cost of production.
The manufacturers urge the public to cooperate with them as cost of production has gone high.
Cement Manufacturers Ghana Executive Secretary Rev. Dr. George Dawson Amoah, who reaveld saying negotiation are ongoing to effect the increment across board due to elements of taxes and high cost of production.
“The amount GHS60 is correct, we are going to increase our price. That is why we are calling for a discussion ahead. As for increasing the price we will. And GHS60 is the targeted price but even if not that we will still increase by GHS5 or 4 cedis. But whatever it is, we will increase the price,” he said.
The secretary added that, increment in prices of products are normal but anytime bag of cement price rises, it becomes a national discussion.
“Price increases happpen to every product but when it happens to cement it becomes a national isssue. This time around we are going to increase the price no matter what,” he said.
Disclosing reasons for the increment, the secretary said, the main reason why GHS60 is the targeted price is because all the raw materials needed for the production of cemet are imported and for that matter, cost of importation is now at a high cost.
“The main cause is cost of production. Covid has led to freight charges, cost of raw materials are very high and we can’t do anything because, major component of the production are imported,” he said.
” We have some in the North which Diamond cement is utilizing yet, not enough. As of now, the freight rate is killing us. Apart from that is the availability of cargo and cost”, Rev Dr. Dawson Amoah said.