Ghana’s premier cement manufacturer, Ghacem, has started training block-makers across the country to equip them with modern skills in block moulding and how to enhance their businesses for increased profitability.

The training started with selected block-makers under the Madina and Achimota Sales areas on Tuesday and Wednesday 6th and 7th June 2017 respectively.

Speaking at the opening session of the first training in Madina, Commercial Director of Ghacem, Nana Philip Archer explained Ghacem’s objective for the block-makers training, and equipping them with modern skills to enhance their businesses.

“We want every block-maker to benefit from the knowledge we are sharing, hence we are not selective in bringing you together, whether you use Ghacem or not,” Nana Archer indicated.

He added that the training modules have been put together by a consultant of the Center for Scientific and Industrial Research and Building and Road Research Institute, Dr. Mark Bediako who is expertized in block making trainings.

The lead trainer is Mr. Kwasi Martinson who is also the aggregate manager for Ghacem’s sister company West Africa Quarries Limited.

He is assisted by Owuraku Asamoa-Derkyi who is the assistant direct customer officer. The other two trainers are the two quality assurance mangers of Ghacem in Tema and Takoradi Mr. John Ohipeni and Mr. Francis Dabanka.

The Commercial Director further stated that the training will also include the business side of block-making, where they will be educated on how to ensure proper book-keeping and how to run the block making business effectively and profitably.

According to him, Ghacem will never compromise on quality. He also added that Ghacem will train the block-makers on how to mould quality blocks for stronger structures in the country.

Nana Archer finally disclosed that Ghacem will advertise for the block-makers to ensure that customers know where to locate them for consistently quality blocks in the country.

Cross section of participants

The training has both theory and practical sessions. In the opening training, the Head of Marketing and Customer Excellence who is also the Coordinator of the Ghacem Cement Academy, Benny Fiifi Ashun, stressed that the innovation by Ghacem is aimed at meeting the needs of customers derived from its quarterly run surveys through the customer excellence program which attempts to derive the real needs of the customers.

Mr. Ashun further noted that this among other innovative strategies will enable Ghacem to maintain its enviable position as the market leader in the cement business.

Ghacem Cement Academy is a flagship program of the manufacturing company aimed at bringing value to its customers in the use of its products especially the super strong 42.5R cement. It effect it has an impact of reducing unemployment, as well as improving the quality of cement blocks in the country.

It will be recalled that Ghacem launched this initiative on 31st May 2017 at Fiesta Royale Hotel in Accra under the chairmanship of Ehunabobrim Prah Agyensaim VI, Ghacem Board Chairman.

Also in attendance was the Managing Director of Ghacem Mr. Morten Gade as well as staff and block makers across the country. The launch had Hon. Eugene Boakye Antwi, the Deputy Minister of Works and Housing gracing the occasion as a special guest.

One of the beneficiaries of the training, Jonathan Borteyquaye Aplerhdoku, owner of Jonasl Enterprise, a block-making factory at Oyibi Ayensu Junction testified that the training has helped him enhance his skills and he hopes to manage his business more effectively for more profit.

Mr. Aplerdoku explained that the emphasis on quality block making is of interest to him because quality work will also lead to recommendations by his clients, thereby increasing his profit margin.