Government has tasked cement maker, GHACEM to source 50 percent of its raw material locally.
This comes on the back of recent debates on promoting local content in Ghana.
GHACEM which produces about 60,000 tonnes of cement every week sources just about 25 percent of its raw materials in Ghana.
Deputy Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson speaking at the presentation of the GHACEM’s dividend on Tuesday said the current quantity could be increased if a conscious effort is made at it.
He said: “I think you have to go beyond 50%. We think the raw materials are here. Inasmuch as we produce cement here in this country, I strongly feel that if the raw materials are here and they are competitive, we should tap into them, so we can give true meaning to local content so that our local owners of raw materials can also benefit from them.”
Meanwhile, Strategic and Corporate affairs manager of GHACEM, Dr George Dawson Amoah told Citi Business News, this could be a daunting task as the major problem is the availability of the raw material in Ghana.
“The raw materials; the major part is the clinker which is imported. I share the concern of the minister that we should move beyond the 25% raw material, but where is it available? Show us any deposit of limestone with appreciable quantity and quality, and we will go in for clinker production.”
“We have been searching but do not have. What we have now is what we are using as filler, which is about 25% and so we are still searching, if you find any let me know,” he added.
GHACEM on Tuesday made a presentation of GHC 3.6 million dividend to government through the ministry of Finance.
This brings to GHC 8.7 million total dividend paid to Government this year. Government holds about 5% stake in the cement maker.
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