The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), operating under the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, has intensified nationwide efforts to curb the production and sale of substandard cement products, as part of a broader regulatory push to safeguard consumers and the construction industry.

Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry,  Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, emphasised that cement quality and safety are critical to protecting property owners, industry professionals, and the general public.

Unannounced inspections conducted in April 2025 targeted all cement manufacturing firms across the country.

A total of 82 cement samples were collected for thorough testing using advanced methods such as physical and chemical analysis, X-ray fluorescence, and X-ray diffraction to assess quality and conformity to Ghana’s standards.

In addition to regular factory audits, the GSA carried out a surveillance operation between May 6 and May 15, 2025, to verify the composition of cement products and examine the raw materials used in their production.

To enhance monitoring and enforcement, over 300 additional trading standards inspectors were commissioned on May 3, 2025.

These officers have been deployed to conduct cement surveillance and price verification exercises in several towns and municipalities nationwide.

“The presence of these inspectors in the field ensures real-time regulatory oversight, helping us respond swiftly to violations and maintain consumer confidence,” the Minister said.

The crackdown has already yielded results.

The GSA has shut down several cement manufacturing companies, including Xin A Safe Cement Ghana Ltd, Kumasi Cement Ghana Ltd, and Uniceme Cement Ghana Ltd, for producing cement with substandard or unapproved materials, posing significant risks to public safety.

Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare reiterated the Ministry’s zero-tolerance policy on substandard goods, stressing that the GSA will continue to clamp down on non-compliant manufacturers to prevent dangerous products from reaching the market.

“These actions are not just punitive—they are preventive,” she stated.

“They protect lives, ensure industry integrity, and support fair competition and pricing.”

The ongoing measures by the GSA aim to foster a healthier cement industry, promote construction safety, and ensure that only products meeting regulatory standards are allowed into the Ghanaian market, she concluded.