Cement prices could be headed for an increase as prolonged congestion at Ghana’s ports continues to delay the discharge of clinker, a key raw material used in cement production.

Industry players have warned that mounting demurrage costs resulting from vessels waiting up to 13 to 20 days to berth may ultimately be transferred to consumers if urgent interventions fail to ease the situation.

The looming threat of price hikes dominated an emergency meeting convened on Monday, February 23, 2026, by the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, in collaboration with the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe.

The meeting brought together cement manufacturers and key sector players to address operational bottlenecks that have left clinker shipments stranded at the harbour for between two and three weeks, causing significant financial strain on the industry.

Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana (COCMAG), Bishop Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, described the situation as dire, stating that the cement industry is “leaking” financially due to escalating demurrage charges.

Manufacturers warned that the longer vessels remain at sea awaiting berth space, the higher the costs incurred — a burden that could reflect in cement prices on the domestic market.

Although industry players acknowledged ongoing dredging works at the port, they appealed for immediate interim measures, including temporary access to additional berths and consideration for handling non-dust producing raw materials such as gypsum and slag at alternative berths to ease congestion.

Responding to the concerns, Mr. Nikpe assured stakeholders that government is fast-tracking dredging works to expand berth capacity and accommodate larger vessels.

He explained that the current berths are inadequate for bigger vessels, resulting in longer turnaround times and persistent congestion.

According to him, once the dredging is completed — expected by the end of June — the port will be able to handle vessels of over 20,000 tonnes, compared to the current 8,000-tonne capacity. This expansion, he said, would significantly reduce vessel traffic and waiting times.

He added that portions of the dredging works, particularly around Berth 14, are expected to be completed within one to two weeks, offering partial relief ahead of the full completion deadline.

For her part, Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare stressed that inefficiencies at the port directly increase production costs, which ultimately impact cement prices.

“If we want good prices, we must also perform our part of the bargain to ensure that production costs remain efficient,” she stated.

She emphasised that government’s interest goes beyond preventing price increases and includes resolving structural bottlenecks affecting industry operations. She noted that even a single day of delay in business operations can translate into millions of dollars in losses.

The President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Pharm. Kofi Nsiah-Poku, commended the Ministers for their swift intervention and collaborative approach, expressing optimism that interim measures and the completion of dredging by June would help restore efficiency and reduce production costs.

Until those measures fully take effect, however, industry stakeholders caution that continued port congestion and rising demurrage costs could put upward pressure on cement prices, with consumers likely to feel the impact if the situation persists.