Cement price regulation: Manufacturers did not boycott meeting with me – KT Hammond

Minister of Trade and Industry, Kwabena Tahiru Hammond, has dismissed reports that cement manufacturers boycotted a meeting with him over price regulation.

Instead the Asokwa lawmaker disclosed that the manufacturers requested a closed-door meeting, which was misconstrued as a boycott.

In an interview on Original TV’s Adwenepa show, Hammond clarified that the meeting was called to discuss the regulation of cement prices through Legislative Instrument (L.I) 2480, which has been engaging stakeholders since January 2024.

He emphasized his commitment to proceeding with the laying of the L.I, despite the manufacturers’ request for a closed-door meeting.

Earlier, it was reported in the media that five cement manufacturers, including Dangote, Supacem, Ghacem, Diamond Cement, and CIMAF, boycotted a meeting with Trade and Industry Minister KT Hammond on Monday, July 1, 2024, to discuss a proposed Legislative Instrument (LI) to regulate cement prices.