A growing number of newly established cement manufacturers in Ghana are producing substandard cement by using inferior materials in place of limestone—raising major concerns about the safety of buildings and public infrastructure across the country.
According to data shared by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), some manufacturers have been caught substituting the critical cement ingredient, limestone, with cheaper alternatives such as quarry dust, clay, and silica.
These findings were presented at a high-level stakeholder meeting of the Cement Manufacturing Development Committee (CMDC) earlier this month.
Structural risks on the rise
Experts say the implications are dire. Professor Mark Bediako, Deputy Director at the Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI) of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), warned that the use of such materials significantly weakens the structural integrity of buildings.
“Cement made with quarry dust or similar materials is prone to cracking and failure under stress,” he explained. “It poses serious risks to human life and property.”
Read Also: GH₵20m worth of illegal Opioids seized at Tema Port in major security operation
Prof. Bediako attributed the trend to cost-cutting motives, especially among new entrants—mostly foreign-owned factories—operating far from Ghana’s main limestone sources in the Ashanti and Bono regions. He alleged that some Chinese manufacturers had deliberately set up factories in remote locations to avoid limestone transport costs, opting instead for cheaper, substandard materials.
Regulatory response and enforcement
In response to the growing threat, the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has directed the GSA to take immediate action against factories producing unsafe cement.
GSA Director-General, Professor Alex Dodoo, described the situation as a national safety concern, warning that if left unchecked, the circulation of poor-quality cement could lead to building collapses, loss of lives, and a loss of trust in Ghana’s construction industry.
“Developers and homeowners using these materials unknowingly are at risk of financial loss and potential legal consequences,” Prof. Dodoo said. “We’re taking this seriously.”
He also revealed that inspection teams had already been dispatched to monitor operations at suspected factories, with shutdowns expected in the coming days.
Call for industry accountability
Beyond immediate enforcement, regulators and experts are calling for stricter oversight and accountability across the cement industry. Loopholes in quality control have made it easy for some manufacturers to bypass standards, undercut competitors, and flood the market with cheaper—but dangerous—cement products.
“There needs to be greater transparency in sourcing, production, and quality testing,” Prof. Dodoo stressed. “Ghana’s infrastructure and global construction reputation are on the line.”
As enforcement ramps up, the public is being urged to be vigilant and demand quality assurance when purchasing cement products.
