Inadequate power supply killing GHACEM

The Director in charge of strategy and corporate affairs of Ghacem Ltd, Dr George Dawson-Ahmoah has declared that the current shortfall of energy supplies in the country has significantly affected the production and supply of cement to the market.

He made this declaration when The Business Chronicle contacted him on telephone over the week-end. He confirmed that the company currently has a huge backlog of cement to supply to its valued customers and therefore committed to go the extra mile to supply to the market as and when power is made available.

Dr Dawson-Ahmoah indicated that his company is fully aware of the importance of cement to the growth and sustainability of the national economy and therefore a situation of scarcity of cement on the market creates anxiety and concerns. “We are all not happy with these inadequate electricity supplies,” Dr Dawson lamented.

He has assured all customers and consumers at large that, when the power situation is resolved, cement supplies will be regular on the market.

He flatly dismissed the impression being carried around in the minds of some people that Ghacem lacks the capacity to supply. “It will be agreed if this capacity here is being referred to inadequate power supply as being experienced now but absolutely not Ghacem’s production capacity,” says Dr Dawson. He further cried out that ‘This power situation which has contributed to significant production losses is a general concern to all manufacturing companies /industries in Ghana including our competitors in Aflao.’

He further explained that Ghacem has the production capacity both in Tema and Takoradi to supply the market but the current backlog situation and for that matter irregular supply of cement to the market has only become a big challenge because of lack of adequate electricity to produce and supply cement.

“We are lacking adequate power supplies to produce and supply cement to the market,” he concluded.

Dr Dawson-Ahmoah was full of commendation to the government for all the efforts that are being put in place both in the short and long term to improve the energy situation; “As part of my strategic schedule, I am closely monitoring the Government’s efforts in this regard of augmenting the power supplies in the country to assist the entire domestic industries who are saddled with this situation and very impressed and pray that they all come into fruition” declared Dr Dawson-Ahmoah.

Referring to a press release recently issued by the management, he indicated that Ghacem’s factory price to accredited distributors is still 59,225.00 cedis per bag including VAT and NHIL. Dr Dawson simply described the prevailing “black market” price as most unfortunate.

On behalf of the management, Dr Dawson-Ahmoah expressed his sympathy to cement consumers at large in view of this present circumstance which has resulted in the irregular supply of cement to the market and reassures that, production and supply of cement will improve when the power situation is normalised.