Trade Minister inaugurates Portland Cement Monitoring Committee
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has inaugurated an 11-member Portland Cement Monitoring Committee to help enforce industrial regulations.
The members include Mr Dawarnoba Baeka, Chief Director Ministry of Trade, as Chairman; Mr Papa Kow-Bartel, Acting Director Industrial Development Ministry of Trade; Mr Samuel D. K. Amegayibor, Executive Secretary, Ghana Real Estate Developers Association and the Reverend Dr George Dawson-Ahmoah, Strategy and Corporate Affairs Director, GHACEM representing the Association of Ghana Industries.
The rest are: Yahuza Mohammed Gomda Director, Ministry of Environment Science, Technology and Innovation; Mrs Josephine Gyimah Akwafo, Port Monitoring Manager, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority; and Mr Frederick A. Ghartey, Assistant Commissioner in Charge of Design and Monitoring Ghana Revenue Authority.
Others are: Mr. Alpha Abdullah Shaban, Secretary Ghana Union of Traders Association; Mr Prince I. K Arthur, Acting Director of Inspectorate Division Ghana Standards Authority; Mr Nandagopal Venkatesh, Vice Chairman, Cement Manufacturers’ Association of Ghana and Ms Emelda Tsorhey, Industrial Promotion Officer/Tariff Advisory Board, Ministry of Trade would serve as Secretary to the Committee.
Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, the Trade Minister administered the Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy to the Committee members and charge them to be diligent and relentless to ensure that healthy industrial environment.
He expressed concern that in spite of the fact the country could boast of four major local cement companies, whilst two other companies have completed feasibility and ready start full operations by the end of the year the country still imports cement.
Dr Spio-Garbrah noted that government is taking actions to protect the cement industries in Ghana from collapsing in view of competition.
On the mandate of the Committee, the Trade Minister said it would verify the actual capacity of cement manufacturing companies in Ghana; set up an Appeals Committee, create enabling environment for local importers to venture into manufacturing.
He gave the assurance that government agencies in areas outside of their jurisdiction – the Ghana Standards Authority and Ghana Revenue Authority are ready to offer technical support.
The Committee would also focus on Pricing of Portland cement, analysis quantities of Portland cement to be imported for commercial purposes and local production of Portland cement, and report to the Trade Minister, at least once in every three months on matters in relating to the restriction on the import of Portland cement.
Source: GNA