Broadcaster at Okay FM, Kwame Nkrumah Tikese, has criticized Trade and Industry Minister, Kwabena Tahir Hammond (KT Hammond) for dismissing representatives of the Cement Manufacturers Association from a scheduled meeting with the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry (GCCI) on July 20, 2024.
Tikese questioned KT Hammond’s lack of diplomatic approach to resolving the conflict between his ministry and the cement manufacturers, criticizing his confrontational stance.
During a discussion with the CEO of the Chamber of Construction and Industry, Tikese advised the cement manufacturers to remain patient, suggesting that KT Hammond may not continue as trade minister after the 2024 elections.
He noted that if the NPP government remains in power, it is unlikely that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia would retain KT Hammond in his current role.
“He claims he couldn’t withstand the cement manufacturers. Has he established a company? Ever since he was born, has he set up a company?
“Be patient and exercise some restraint. He will be gone in December. He will be gone because I don’t think even if Bawumia wins the election, he will retain him as the trade minister,” he said.
KT Hammond recently made headlines after viral videos showed him ejecting members of the Cement Manufacturers Association from a meeting.
One video from the event captured Minister Hammond firmly insisting that the cement manufacturers vacate the room before the meeting could begin.
“I was invited by the Chamber of Construction. I wasn’t invited by the Association of Cement Manufacturers. I wasn’t invited by them. Can they leave?” the Minister asked.
He explained that he had previously met with the cement manufacturers and that this meeting was specifically intended to engage with the Chamber of Construction.
“It’s either I leave or they leave,” the minister firmly stated, despite efforts from representatives of both associations to justify the manufacturers’ presence.