Cement manufacturers sound alarm over unregulated imports from Togo

The Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG), has expressed grave concern over the growing influx of imported bagged cement, particularly from Togo, cautioning that the development threatens the survival of the country’s cement industry.

In a petition to the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, the Chamber revealed that foreign cement brands, especially those originating from Togo, are increasingly flooding the Ghanaian market.

According to COCMAG, many of these products enter the country without going through the mandatory certification processes of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), raising doubts about their quality and long-term safety for construction.

Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, said the unregulated entry of imported cement is distorting market dynamics and undermining the investments of local producers.

“Our local manufacturers have made substantial investments to expand production capacity, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economic development. The influx of imported cement without any value addition risks eroding these gains, weakening investor confidence, and destabilizing the entire industry,” he warned.

The Chamber stressed that if immediate steps are not taken to address the situation, Ghana could face widespread job losses, reduced domestic output, and a slowdown in industrial growth.

This, it cautioned, would ultimately undermine the government’s broader industrialization agenda and derail efforts at economic transformation.

As part of its recommendations, COCMAG urged the Ministry to intensify enforcement of import regulations, review existing trade policies, and introduce protective measures to secure the viability of local cement manufacturers. The group argued that other countries in the sub-region have taken similar protective steps to shield their domestic industries.
COCMAG further raised concerns about the imbalance in ECOWAS trade practices.

It noted that while Togolese and other foreign cement brands easily access the Ghanaian market, Ghanaian cement producers face restrictive policies when trying to export to markets such as Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Nigeria. “This has effectively turned Ghana into a dumping ground, with no reciprocal benefits for its local industry,” the Chamber emphasized.

Despite the challenges, the Chamber assured that it remains open to collaboration with the Ministry and other stakeholders in seeking practical solutions. “We remain committed to working closely with the Ministry and all relevant stakeholders to address this matter constructively and collaboratively,” it noted.