Cement prices could increase in the coming weeks due to prolonged port congestion delaying clinker discharges, a key raw material that drives up production costs.
The issue dominated an emergency meeting on Monday, February 23, 2026, convened by Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare and Minister for Transport Joseph Bukari Nikpe. Attendees included cement manufacturers and industry stakeholders addressing bottlenecks that have stranded clinker shipments at the harbor for 2–3 weeks.
Bishop Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, CEO of the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana (COCMAG), called the situation “dire,” with vessels waiting 13–20 days to berth. This has triggered skyrocketing demurrage charges, forcing manufacturers to consider passing costs to consumers.
Industry players noted that longer delays mean higher operational expenses, putting upward pressure on domestic cement prices. While acknowledging ongoing port dredging, they urged immediate fixes like access to extra berths and handling non-dusty materials (e.g., gypsum and slag) elsewhere to relieve pressure.
Minister Nikpe assured stakeholders that dredging is accelerating and due by June’s end, boosting capacity from 8,000-tonne to over 20,000-tonne vessels for faster turnarounds. Until then, warnings persist: congestion could spark price hikes, hitting consumers hardest.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson#ahotorfmonline.come