The dispute concerning cement price regulation is intensifying as manufacturers contemplate requesting intervention from the Economic Management Team (EMT).
President of the Cement Manufacturers Association, Dr. Dawson Amoah, announced that this course of action would be examined during the 21-day period in which the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) on cement regulation is presented to Parliament.
“We’re going beyond the Ministry of Trade and Industry and up to the Economic Management Team because this issue is a major concern for both producers and consumers,” he stated.
Manufacturers are resisting the Trade Ministry’s Legislative Instrument (L.I.) intended to regulate cement prices, arguing that additional consultations on the factors influencing cement prices must first be considered.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, K.T. Hammond, scheduled a meeting with cement manufacturers on Monday, July 1, but they refused to attend upon noticing the media’s presence.
In an interview, Dr. Amoah clarified that members were not notified about the media’s attendance or the meeting’s agenda.
“I think we went there with the conception that we were going to listen to the minister. They turned down meeting the press because they were not prepared for it,” he said, emphasising the need for in-depth consultation on the matter.
Despite their refusal to attend, Minister Hammond continued with the meeting, declaring his intention to present the L.I. in Parliament and denying allegations of inadequate consultation with the cement manufacturers.
“The cement industry is beginning to dictate to the political head of the organisation what they want, and I don’t think this is acceptable,” K. T. Hammond said.
He criticised the manufacturers for expecting a private meeting, saying, “They’ve seen journalists who will tell the world there has been consultation, but my understanding is that because there is press, they wouldn’t attend this meeting. They want me to get rid of you. I have therefore decided to go legal.”