Trade and Industry Minister Kobina Tahir Hammond on Friday, July 19, dismissed representatives of the Cement Manufacturers Association from a meeting with the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry (GCCI) held at the Christ the King in Accra.
A video from the meeting captured Mr. Hammond insisting that the cement manufacturers exit before the meeting commenced, stating, “I was invited by the Chamber of Construction. I wasn’t invited by the Association of Cement Manufacturers. I wasn’t invited by them. Can they leave?”
Mr. Hammond explained that he had already held discussions with the manufacturers and there was no need to meet them again, emphasizing that this particular meeting was meant for interactions with the Chamber of Construction.
Despite attempts by representatives from the Chamber to justify the manufacturers’ attendance, Mr. Hammond stood firm, presenting the ultimatum: “Two options, that I leave or they leave.”
Chairman of the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industries, Emmanuel Tettey Martey, subsequently requested the cement manufacturers to exit, echoing the minister’s stance.
An intervention by the Vice Chairman, Nana Opare Kwafo, failed to sway the minister.
The cement manufacturers were ultimately compelled to walk out, allowing the meeting to proceed.
This incident followed an earlier tension on July 1, when the Cement Manufacturers opted out of a meeting with the minister due to his insistence on media presence.
