Executive Secretary of the Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana (CMAG) is taken aback by the move by the Trade Ministry to introduce a Legislative Instrument (L.I) to regulate the price of cement products.
Rev. Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah argues that the Minister’s approach to reducing prices is like putting the cart before the horse.
He asserts that his organization was not consulted about the proposal and is unaware of the contents of the draft document.
“We don’t know anything about it. And with my common knowledge in legislative instruments, don’t you involve stakeholders before it gets to Parliament? Don’t you involve stakeholders in the process?” he quizzed on Tuesday.
This development follows public outcry over the rising prices of the commodity. In response, the Minister introduced a new legislative instrument, which faced strong opposition from the Minority.
The NDC MPs are insisting that the legislative instrument (LI) undergo pre-laying procedures before being formally presented.
During a media engagement Dr. Dawson-Ahmoah criticized the Minister’s approach, arguing that the government should prioritize addressing the underlying economic challenges instead.
He pointed out that the price hike is primarily driven by the depreciation of the local currency.
“Why is the Minister avoiding or just running away from this discussion? Previously, our position has been that these prices of cement, the increase of prices of cement, it is not done in a vacuum. It is not done just because we wake up in the morning and do it.
It is as a result of a negative trend in the economy, which is warranting such increases, and that is the issue. And like I said, what is happening now with cement prices is just because of the rapid and consistent depreciation of the cedi against the foreign currencies” he added.