In a bid to enhance cement availability in the Western Region, Ghacem Limited has opened a new depot at Sefwi Dwenase in the Sefwi-Wiawso Municipality.

This brings to six the total number of depots opened by the leading cement manufacturer.

Aside from the latest depot, current distribution channels are located in Kumasi, Techiman, Tamale, Wa and Buipe.

The new depot has a storage capacity of about 60, 000 bags (3,000 tonnes) of cement.

Every week, it is expected that these bags of cement will be distributed for sale in towns and villages located in the Sefwi-Wiawso Munipality and its environs.

Delivering his address at the commissioning of the depot, Nana Philip Archer, Commercial Director of Ghacem, said the development was a move by the company to ensure its high quality cement is spread across the country and brought closer to the end users especially in the Sefwi-Wiawso area.

In the past, distributors faced a major challenge to transport the products from major cities outside the Western Region to towns and villages in the region.

He revealed that Ghacem has invested in the purchase of new trucks to serve the depot and to prevent cement shortage.

Nana Archer entreated the chiefs and people in the area to give Ghacem the necessary support by purchasing its products.

He said Ghacem uses local raw materials in the production of its products.

Other Ghacem products include the Super Rapid, Ghacem Extra and Ghacem Super Strong cement.

“Our contribution to the growth of Ghana’s economy in fact is enormous. We’ve been consistent with the payment of direct and indirect taxes every year for the past 51 years of operation. 

"2013 to the end of 2017 alone we paid over Gh¢ 1.3 billion meaning every year we pay not less that Gh¢ 260 million. Also our corporate Social responsibility program through the Ghacem Cement foundation set up in 2002 has since its establishment donated about 500,000 bags of cement to health and educational institutions in the country” he mentioned," he said.

The event was well attended by high-profile dignitaries and residents from Sefwi Dwenase and Sefwi-Wiawso in the Western Region and its environs. 

Okatakyie Kwasi Bumagama II, Paramount Chief of Sefwi-Wiawso chaired the occasion. In his remarks he applauded the Board and Management of Ghacem for bringing cement closer to the area to spur development and hoped the new development will pave the way for Government to create the Western North Region.

Hon. Louis Owusu Agyapong, Municipal Chief Executive of Sefwi-Wiawso who represented the Western Regional Minister, Hon. Kwaku Afriyie, in his address, observed the new depot in the region will open the local economy by enabling employment.

He commended Ghacem for the investment and charged the company to cautious of competitors who will follow suit soon and be more innovative in their approach to supply the region with more cement.

Also present were Ghacem distributors in the Western Region including the renowned D. K. Korankye, Nana Owusu of Naawusu Ent, Francis Baiden of Oglives Ent, Mr Amankwah of Amaas Ent and Elizabeth Obuobi of Kuksbeth Obotemtim Enterprise.