The Minister for Trade and Industry, Kobina Tahir Hammond, has sharply criticized Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, CEO of the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana, over their petition to Parliament. The petition urges lawmakers to reject a proposed Legislative Instrument (L.I) aimed at regulating cement pricing in the country.
The Chamber of Cement Manufacturers has voiced strong objections to the proposed L.I, arguing that it undermines fairness, transparency, and inclusive decision-making processes. They assert that the legislation fails to address the complex factors contributing to the rising cost of cement.
In a recent interaction with journalists, Minister K.T. Hammond affirmed the government’s steadfast commitment to ensuring that Ghanaians are not disadvantaged in their purchase of cement.
“The government remains resolute in its quest to ensure that Ghanaians are not shortchanged in the purchase of cement,” the minister stated.
“I think there’s something fundamentally wrong with the pricing of our cement in the country. It was about the same issue that we tackled when we were at the Ministry of Energy. I believe that there has to be some sanity in the system… And so today, I have received a copy of a petition written by the Association of Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, whatever.
“Pretty insulting, Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, he’s been a person I have known for many years when he was at GHACEM. We have been very good friends.
“When we started all this cement manufacturing, whatever, he was part of it. He has been in consultation with us. He has been on board with respect to all that we have undertaken. Now he arrives in parliament and tells parliament to order me to take back my documents and to consult with him because what I have done is not right or respectful or something because I hadn’t told him. You know, sometimes you have to be careful when some of these things come about.
“But he has a PhD, he’s a doctor, so reading and comprehension shouldn’t be a problem for him. He should go and read the constitution and he will see that by Article 11 thereof, Parliament doesn’t tell me to go and consult with him. I mean, the procedures that he’s talking about, if he understands, I don’t know.”
He urged the cement manufacturers to ensure that there’s some sanity in the pricing.
“I am going to encourage my colleagues to ensure that there is some sanity in the pricing of cement products in the country. It’s about time that somebody took a handle on the situation and got things in the right direction.”
