Trade Minister Leads Urgent Talks to Resolve Port Delays Crippling Cement Industry
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has convened an emergency meeting with cement manufacturers and key sector players to address prolonged port congestion that has left clinker shipments stranded at the harbour, causing significant financial losses to industry operators.
The meeting, held in collaboration with the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, on February 23, 2026, focused on the operational challenges at the port which have delayed the discharge of clinker, a key raw material in cement production for up to two to three weeks.
Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana (COCMAG), Bishop Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, described the situation as dire, stating that the cement industry is “leaking” financially due to mounting demurrage costs.
According to industry players, vessels are currently waiting between 13 to 20 days to berth, attracting demurrage charges. These costs, manufacturers warned, threaten to eventually be passed on to consumers if not urgently addressed.
The manufacturers acknowledged ongoing dredging works at the port but appealed for interim operational flexibility, including temporary access to additional berths and consideration for handling non-dust producing raw materials such as gypsum and slag at alternative berths to ease congestion.
Responding to the concerns, the Minister for Transport assured stakeholders that government is fast-tracking dredging works to expand berth capacity to accommodate larger vessels.
He explained that the current berths are inadequate for bigger vessels, resulting in longer turnaround times and congestion.
Once the dredging is completed, expected by the end of June, the port will be able to handle vessels with capacities of over 20,000 tonnes, compared to the current 8,000-tonne capacity. This, he said, would significantly reduce vessel traffic and waiting times.
The Minister further indicated that portions of the dredging works, particularly around Berth 14, are expected to be completed within the next one to two weeks, providing partial relief before the full completion deadline in June.
In her remarks, the Trade Minister, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare emphasized that government’s interest goes beyond preventing price increases, stressing that the Ministry is equally committed to resolving operational bottlenecks affecting industry players.
She noted that inefficiencies at the port directly increase production costs, which ultimately affect cement prices on the market.
“If we want good prices, we must also perform our part of the bargain to ensure that production costs remain efficient,” she stated,
The Minister reiterated that her Ministry acts swiftly when industry challenges are brought to its attention, noting that even a single day of delay in business operations can translate into millions of dollars in losses.
She expressed confidence that within a week or two, stakeholders would begin to see measurable improvements, and pledged continued collaboration between the Ministries, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, and industry players.
President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Pharm. Kofi Nsiah-Poku, commended the Ministers for their prompt response and collaborative approach.
He expressed optimism that the interim measures expected within two weeks, coupled with the full completion of dredging by June, would restore operational efficiency and reduce production costs, enabling manufacturers to pass on cost savings to consumers.
The meeting ended with renewed commitment from all parties to work closely to ensure that the cement industry remains viable, competitive and capable of supplying the domestic market without price shocks.
With solutions now in sight, stakeholders expressed hope that by mid-year, port congestion and excessive demurrage costs will no longer pose a threat to Ghana’s cement production and pricing stability.
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