News
Trade Minister denies issuing any Cement Import licence
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has made it clear that since assuming office, she has not issued any licence for the importation of cement into the country.
Speaking at a meeting with the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana (COGMAG) in Accra on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the Minister expressed concern over the illegal importation of cement into the Ghanaian market.
She described the act as unacceptable and called for immediate steps to stop it.
Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare explained that although Ghana operates a free economy, all manufacturers and importers are required to obtain valid licences to operate within the cement value chain.
This, she noted, helps regulate the industry and ensures fair business practices.
She commended the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for its efforts in tackling cement smuggling and urged them to intensify their operations to curb the menace completely.
The Minister called on the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to strictly enforce compliance so that only licensed manufacturers and importers remain active in the market.
She stressed the need for high standards and quality control to protect both the industry and consumers.
“I want the Ghanaian brand to adhere to standards in order to obtain the moral right in curbing invaders,” she noted.
The Chairman of COGMAG, Mr. Frederic Albrecht, said that cement prices saw a 20 percent drop in July 2025 due to the stability of the cedi.
He added that the Chamber continues to monitor market conditions and advised consumers to be vigilant against fake cement products.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
