Asenso Boakye being briefed by an official
MINISTER FOR Works and Housing, Asenso Boakye, has called on cement manufacturing companies operating in Ghana to support government’s plan to put up affordable homes for Ghanaians through public private partnership initiatives.
Mr. Boakye made the appeal when he paid a working visit to some three cement manufacturing plants in Tema recently.
The visit was also to acquaint himself with their operations and also to strengthen the working relationship between his outfit and the companies.
“You can collaborate with the ministry to provide cement at a discounted rate for the affordable housing projects, may be, as part of your corporate social responsibility to support government to provide affordable shelter for Ghanaians,” he noted.
He also urged the cement manufacturers to try and use local raw materials to reduce the cost of importation especially, since a lot of businesses have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukraine war.
The minister’s first point of call was at Diamond Cement where he interacted with the staff and management of the company, and sought their support as a partner in the built environment.
The Financial Controller of Diamond Cement, Nandgopal Venkatesh, expressed worry about some of the challenges facing the industry such as high payment of charges at the port, bad road network to their plants and the failure to get adequate limestone that could be extracted by the company if given the licence.
CEO of GHACEM, Stephano Gallini, also said a full cycle of local raw material could not be used in their production process though they had increased local content in recent times.
He, however, said that despite the challenges facing global economies as result of the pandemic and the Russian-Ukraine crises, the company would continue to offer quality, reliable and affordable products without compromising on standards and promised to partner the government in the event of starting the affordable housing project when the modalities were ready.
The minister ended his visit at the wholly owned Ghanaian Dzata Cement plant where he was taken round the various units and given some briefing on the operations of the company.
Managing Director of Dzata cement, Nana Philip Archer, on behalf of management, expressed gratitude for the visit by the minister.
He assured the minister of their commitment to follow through all the agreement when the time was due for the project.
Mr. Asenso Boakye commended Dzata Cement for their work so far and promised to forward all concerns of the companies to the appropriate government institution for attention.
BY Ebenezer K. Amponsah