The Chamber of Cement manufacturers Ghana (COCMAG) has cautioned cement manufacturers and producers in the country to adhere to fair trade practices to promote the cement industry. 

With the intense competition within the cement industry, COCMAG stressed that it is important that to uphold integrity instead of unfair competition and unfair trade practices.

According to the Chamber, cement quality should be of standard to protect the integrity of buildings and infrastructures in the country.

COCMAG’s Executive Secretary, Dr George Dawson-Ahmoah who issued the statement on behalf of the Chamber noted that the Cement industry is a strategic one in the economy as such its visibility and protection from unfair trade practices will always be championed.

“In view of its sensitivity and strategic nature, the Chamber has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) on addressing critical issues concerning local cement production and we are in full support of the move by the Minister of Trade and Industry to come out with a regulatory regime to govern the Cement industry in Ghana.

The Chamber is avowed to promote and maintain a positive image and prominence for the Cement industry in Ghana, the statement read.

Dr. Dawson-Ahmoah pledged that in a bid to sanitize and establish fairness in the Cement industry in order to create healthy competition among members of the industry, the Chamber will not associate itself with certain trade malpractices.

“Compromising the quality for survival (production of substandard cement), Supply of underweight bagged, bulk cement products, Violation of Environmental Protection matters at the Ports and Factories, Disregard of inbound and outbound road safety standards, pollution, axle load, Tax evasion in any form (VAT, Withholding Tax, Corporate tax, etc), Unethical marketing/sales activities and Compromising the health and safety principles to which the Cement industry should adhere to.”

Rev. Dawson-Ahmoah assured members of COCMAG of the Chamber’s continuous support to ensure their adequate growth and capacity building and as such urged them not to hesitate to contact the Secretariat on any issue impeding their operation.