A significant lack of clinker, a crucial raw material in the production of cement, is the reason given by some cement dealers nationwide for the rising disruption caused by the shortage of major cement brands.
Brands including SOL Cement, Empire Cement, and Dzata Cement have grown more challenging to locate throughout the last two to four weeks. This follows a price increase of GH¢9 for all cement products, which was mostly caused by an increase in port fees.
Due to suppliers’ ongoing difficulties acquiring clinker, retailers claim that their inability to replenish has resulted in direct repercussions, such as turning away customers and losing money.
In an interview with Citi Business News, Augustine Aduful, a cement retailer with more than ten years of expertise, expressed his anger.
“As for the shortage, it happens every time. You pay, but then you’re told to wait for delivery. As I speak, they are short of clinker. Two weeks ago, I paid for SOL Cement, and when I called yesterday, I was told I won’t get my stock for another two weeks,” Aduful said.
The 32.5R grade of Ghacem cement has been out of supply for a few weeks, according to another trader, Isaac Frimpong.
“Ghacem, in particular, has been facing a shortage, affecting many businesses. Our customers are now being forced to switch to alternatives like Diamond Cement,” Frimpong explained, calling for government intervention. The clinker shortage is being caused by overseas supply issues. Even the recent price hikes are tied to external factors. We hope that with government intervention, the situation will stabilize,” he added.
The CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry, Emmanuel Cherry, is advocating for a wider stakeholder discussion to investigate regional clinker substitutes in response to the problem.
“As stakeholders, including the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ghana Standards Authority, come together, we need to explore ways to add value to the raw materials we already have. We cannot continue to rely solely on clinker in cement production. Our manufacturing sector must start looking within, utilizing available technology and research. We should collaborate with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Building and Road Research Institute (CSIR-BRRI) to leverage their findings and develop viable alternatives,” Cherry noted.
Ghana’s significant reliance on imported clinker and the long-term viability of its cement supply chain have come under scrutiny again as a result of the crisis.
Source: newsthemegh.com