The Minority in Parliament has accused the government of reopening Ghana’s cement import market, a move it says threatens local manufacturers and reverses previous protective policies.
During a meeting with the Ghana Employers Association, Michael Okyere Baafi, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Trade and Industry Committee, argued that the current administration has relaxed rules that previously kept substandard imports and foreign competition out of the market.
“When we were in government, we closed down Empire Cement. We intentionally restricted cement imports and even the establishment of new cement companies in Ghana,” Baafi said. “Now, they’ve reopened the space for foreign companies to enter.”
He said the original restrictions were meant to stabilise the sector and prevent inferior products from circulating. The Minority warns that the current approach risks flooding the market, discouraging investment in domestic production, and putting local businesses at a disadvantage.
The remarks add to ongoing debates over Ghana’s cement industry, which has faced rising production costs, imported competition, and disputes over pricing and quality standards. The Minority cautions that loosening import rules could exacerbate challenges for local manufacturers, many of whom are already navigating high operating costs and currency pressures.
The government has yet to respond publicly to these claims but has previously defended liberalisation policies as a way to maintain competitive pricing and avoid shortages.