Parliament Passes Cement Price Regulation L.I. Amid Opposition

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Parliament Passes Cement Price Regulation L.I. Amid Opposition

Ghana’s Parliament has approved a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) aimed at regulating cement prices, despite resistance from the Minority and portions of the public.

The L.I., which initially required cement manufacturers to seek government approval before setting prices, has had this provision removed prior to its passage.

Sponsored by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Kobina Tahir (K.T.) Hammond, the regulation faced significant opposition, particularly from cement manufacturers, who rallied the Minority in Parliament to reject the draft. The Minority Spokesperson on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Bernard Ahiafor, argued that the regulation contradicted the parent act, which governs standards for all goods and services in Ghana.

“The parent act, by its objects, deals with all goods and services, that is, setting the standard for all goods and services, including cement. The understanding of the standard is to control the quality of all goods and services produced and imported in the country,” Ahiafor explained.

Despite these objections, the L.I. successfully passed through Parliament after undergoing 21 sittings.

Trade Minister K.T. Hammond assured the public that the regulation will bring down cement prices, addressing concerns about unfair pricing by cement manufacturers.

“I have consistently argued that we are not being treated fairly by the cement producing companies. I have reviewed a lot of literature on this and I am beyond argument. There is a certain amount of unfairness in the pricing of cement across the country, and I am prepared to ensure there is some sanity,” he affirmed.

The passage of the L.I. marks a significant development in the regulation of cement prices in Ghana, despite the pushback from both industry stakeholders and political figures.

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