Displaying items by tag: Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana

Ghana: The Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana (CMAG) is lobbying the government against a recent fumigation levy of US$0.50/t on imported clinker by the Ministry of Health. At a recent meeting the association discussed this tax and others negatively affected the cement sector, according to the Business and Financial Times newspaper. It is also unhappy about more longstanding charges, including a VAT restructuring levy of 5%, and a 2% special tax as well as a new 11% electricity tariff and a proposed increase in the cost of a certification licence from the Ghana Standards Authority and impending. CMAG is also complaining to the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority about imports.

Ghana: The Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana (CMAG) and representatives of other industries including steel and food have petitioned the Ghana International Trade Commission to protect them from ‘unfair’ trade practices. They have asked the government to follow World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and match export rebates with additional tariffs, according to the Ghanaian Times newspaper. CMAG secretary said that the local cement industry had a production capacity of 11.6Mt/yr and that this was enough to meet local demand.

Ghana: The Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana (CMAG) has praised the introduction of the country’s first building code. The Building Code for Ghana was launched by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia in late October 2018, according to the Ghana Multimedia Group. The 1700-page document, in 38 sections, covers all essential areas for the operation of the building and construction industry. The production and launch of the code is intended to end irregularities in the building and construction sector and set standards to ensure that local construction is safe and meets international standards.

“Today is a very significant day in the annals of the history of this country. For the first time ever, through the collaborative efforts of different agencies, Ghana has a comprehensive Building Code. The Ghana Building Code, GS1207 of 2018 is a document that is long overdue but which has finally been delivered,” said Bawumia. He added that the code would reassure people about the risk of collapsing buildings.

Ghana: The Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana (CMAG) has appealed to the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to investigate the quality of Chinese cement imports. In a letter of the GSA George Dawson-Ahmoah cited two companies in Tema and Ejisu that allegedly sell cement products of ‘questionable’ quality, according to the Business and Financial Times newspaper. He also posited that samples of cement from these companies were ‘alarming’ and that this explained why their prices were ‘ridiculously’ low.

CMAG consists of Ghacem Limited, Diamond Cement group, CIMAF Ghana and CBI Ghana Limited. However, when asked by the local media why Chinese companies supplying Ghana were not part of the association, Dawson-Ahmoah said that they had been invited.

Ghana: The Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana (CMAG) formally inaugurated itself at the start of July 2018. The association is intended to protect and accelerate the development of the industry, according to MyJoyOnline. Members of the association include Ghacem, Diamond Cement and Ciments de l’Afrique (CIMAF). In its constitution the association stated that it, “is not a cartel, but an umbrella body for cement manufacturers in the country.”

Raju Baddharaju, Diamond Cement, has been appointed as the first chairman of the association’s board. George Dawson-Ahmoah, Strategy & Corporate Affairs Director of Ghacem has been appointed as the executive secretary with effect from August 2018. Other members on the governing board include: Morten Gade-Member, Ghacem; Eugene Laryea-Member, Ghacem; N. Venkatesh-Member, Diamond Cement; Mohamed Bennis-Member, CIMAF; and Joseph Aboo-Member, CIMAF.

Previously, the Ghana Cement Manufacturers Association (GCMA) published its memorandum of understanding in 2015 with Ghacem and Diamond Cement as its founding members. Dawson-Ahmoah was the chairman of an interim executive body for the association.

Ghana: George Dawson-Ahmoah, the chairman of the Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana (CMAG), says that Nigeria is dumping cement in his country. He cited instances of imports of bagged cement from Nigeria, under the guise of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), as disturbing pricing in the market, in an interview with the Business and Financial Times newspaper. Although Dawson-Ahmoah defended the ECOWAS scheme he raised issues such as evidence of dumping and export subsidies as being a threat to local cement producers.

Speaking at an annual industry association meeting he alleged that cement imports from Nigeria are being sold in the country for less than its value in the originating country in violation of World Trade Organisation rules. He also criticised the local Export Expansion Grant subsidy.

Ghana: Dangote Cement has defended its conduct against accusations of tax evasion, dumping and other unfair trade practices by local cement producers. Tor Nygard, managing director of Dangote Cement Ghana, defended the Nigerian company at a press conference in Tema saying that the company's entry into the local market had stabilised the price of cement and strengthened competition, according to the Business and Financial Times newspaper. He also described the attacks by market competitors as ‘smear tactics.’

The Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana (CMAG), representing local cement producers such as Ghacem and Diamond Cement, lobbied the Ghanaian government in October 2016 calling for a ban on imports of cement.

Nygard dismissed accusations of dumping cement in Ghana from Nigeria and confirmed that the company pays all the relevant taxes on its imports. He added that Ghacem and Diamond Cement employ 3000 workers after 55 years of operation but that Dangote Cement employs 2000 workers in the country after only six years of operation. Finally, he detailed plans for the company’s new US$100m cement grinding plant in Takoradi that is due to be commissioned at the end of 2017.

Ghana: The Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana (CMAG) has asked the government to investigate all cement imports to the country. The association sent a letter on 6 October 2016 to the Commissioner of the Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division) concerning a Chinese vessel carrying 37,000t of cement anchored at Tema, according to the Daily Guide newspaper. The letter, copied to many other government departments, questioned whether licences to import cement to the country could be issued following changes in legislation.