30% of cement producers are using unacceptable materials – GSA boss
The Director General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Professor Alex Dodoo, has cautioned cement manufacturers against engaging in unethical practices.
The Director General said about 70 per cent of cement manufacturers in the country adhere to the standard protocols.
He described the actions of the remaining 30 percent of manufacturers as “deliberately criminal” because they pose dangers by compromising the integrity and safety of their cement product.
Prof Dodoo, also the Chairman of the Cement Manufacturing Development Committee(CMDC), highlighted the severe risks and potential criminality of adding unacceptable materials to cement production.
“I stay awake at night panicking about some of the practices of some cement manufacturers. And we are duty-bound to stop it. People are putting unacceptable things in cement-making,” he said on July 3.
To address these concerns proactively, the GSA has acquired advanced equipment capable of quickly analysing cement products.
“Thankfully, we have acquired equipment that can at quick notice do an ‘x-ray’ of the products and tell you the unacceptable products both for cement and, subsequently, the iron rods so that consumers get the quality they need,” he added.
Nonetheless, the GSA head stressed the responsibility of manufacturers to maintain high standards and avoid shortcuts that endanger public safety.
“Once you manufacture a product, especially cement, you must be an expert in the field. Being an expert in the field presumes that you know the risk of adding things that will give you a strong product today but will fall like a pack of cards tomorrow,” he said.
He reiterated that the GSA is committed to ensuring that all cement manufacturers adhere to stringent standards to prevent future disasters.
“We don’t want to see any more buildings collapsing,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Cement Manufacturing Development Committee is determined to take action against manufacturers who fail to comply with pricing requirements provided in the trade ministry’s newly laid Legislative Instrument (L.I.).
Chairman of the Committee, Professor Alex Dodoo, said licenses of defaulting manufacturers will be revoked.
“The pricing regulation focuses on ex-factory price. It takes away retailers who are also mandated to report, but there are few sanctions on them. But for the manufacturers, your license can be revoked if you do not report,” he said.
The L.I, which aims to stabilise market prices and ensure fair competition, was finally laid in Parliament on Tuesday following firm opposition from the manufacturers.