The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has declared that she has not issued a single licence for the importation of cement since assuming office, warning individuals and companies involved in illegal cement imports to desist from the practice immediately.
Speaking at a meeting with the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana (COGMAG) in Accra on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the Minister described the illicit importation of cement as a serious concern that undermines the local industry and Ghana’s regulatory framework.
“I have not issued one licence since I became a Minister,” Mrs Ofosu-Adjare stated. She cautioned that Ghana’s free market economy must operate within legal and regulatory boundaries, which require manufacturers and importers to hold valid licences before trading in cement.
She commended the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for its ongoing efforts to clamp down on cement smuggling at the country’s borders, but urged the Authority to intensify its operations to eliminate the menace entirely.
“I want the Ghanaian brand to adhere to standards in order to obtain the moral right in curbing invaders,” she said, emphasising the need for quality assurance and ethical business practices within the cement sector.
Mrs Ofosu-Adjare also tasked the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to ensure that only licensed manufacturers and importers operate in the market. She stressed that strict enforcement of standards and licensing regulations was essential to promoting fair competition and protecting consumers.
The meeting also discussed concerns about cement pricing, product quality, and industry sustainability. The Chairman of COGMAG, Frederic Albrecht, revealed that in July 2025, cement prices saw a 20 per cent reduction on average due to the relative stability of the cedi.
He noted that COGMAG continues to monitor market trends and advised customers to remain vigilant against counterfeit products to ensure value for money.