Several of Ghana's leading cement manufacturers have formed the Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana (CMAG) to protect and accelerate the development of the industry, according to Modern Ghana.

Currently, membership extends to Ghacem Ltd (Tema, Takoradi), Diamond Cement Group (Aflao, Buipe and Takoradi) and CIMAF Ghana Ltd (Tema). Raju Baddharaju, Diamond Cement, has been appointed as the first chairman of the governing board.

"All together we have an installed production capacity of about 8.6Mta and creating over 3000 own and outsourced employees with an average financial contribution of over GHS500m (US$104m) – direct, indirect taxes, port dues etc – also creating extended business offers to various business entrepreneurs," said Dr George Dawson-Ahmoah, strategy and corporate affairs director, Ghacem, in his welcome address.

Dr Dawson-Ahmoah also noted the importance of a united front amongst manufacturers to ensure protection against unfair trade practices.