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Trade Minister denies issuing any Cement Import licence
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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 Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has taken note of public allegations of extortion and related conduct made against the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The allegations were made by the Chief Executive of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi.
In a brief statement, the OSP said it has also received a joint petition submitted by two persons, as well as two separate petitions from other persons, in relation to the same allegations.
“Given the nature of the allegations, the OSP will assess the case and determine whether it falls within its statutory mandate and whether further investigative action is warranted,” the statement said.
The development comes amid a heated public feud between the Minority in Parliament and the leadership of GoldBod over the operations of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
The Minority, led by Afenyo-Markin, has accused GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana of causing a loss of over $1.7 billion, citing the International Monetary Fund’s August 2026 report. The Minority has vowed to pursue the matter as Parliament has reconvened for an emergency sitting.
GoldBod, on the other hand, has rejected claims by some NPP MPs, including Tano South MP Dr Gideon Boako, that it owes the Bank of Ghana GH¢1 billion in overdrafts, describing the claim as “false and malicious.”
In the latest twist, GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi has accused the Minority Leader of extortion and related conduct, an allegation that has triggered petitions to the OSP.
The OSP is mandated under Act 959 to investigate and prosecute specific cases of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption-related offences involving public officers and politically exposed persons.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.
“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.
He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.
“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.
His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.
The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.
The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
