Cement manufacturers in Ghana are warning of potential price increases as congestion at the country’s ports continues to delay the unloading of clinker, a critical raw material for cement production.
The looming threat of price hikes dominated an emergency meeting held on Monday, February 23, 2026, convened by the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, in collaboration with the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe.
The meeting brought together cement manufacturers and key industry players to address operational bottlenecks that have left clinker shipments stranded at the ports for between two and three weeks.
Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana (COCMAG), Bishop Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, described the situation as dire, warning that the industry is “leaking” financially due to escalating demurrage charges.
Industry players say vessels are waiting between 13 and 20 days to berth, significantly increasing costs that could ultimately be passed on to consumers.
Manufacturers cautioned that the longer vessels remain at sea awaiting berth space, the higher the operational costs, placing upward pressure on domestic cement prices.
Mr. Nikpe assured stakeholders that the government is expediting dredging works to expand berth capacity and accommodate larger vessels.
“Once the dredging is completed by the end of June, the port will handle vessels over 20,000 tones, compared to the current 8,000-tonne capacity, which will significantly reduce traffic and waiting times,” he said. Partial relief is expected within one to two weeks as works around Berth 14 are finalized.
Until then, stakeholders warn that persistent congestion and rising demurrage costs could trigger cement price increases, with consumers likely to bear the impact.
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