The state-owned Daily Graphic Newspaper reported yesterday that three cement manufacturers in the Ashanti Region sanctioned for producing cement with inferior materials have been found to be still operating, despite a ban on their operations by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA).
Xin An Safe Cement Ghana Limited, Kumasi Cement Ghana Limited, and Uniceme Cement Ghana Limited were banned last week from producing cement due to concerns over the quality of their products. However, it has come to light that the manufacturers still continue to operate and are producing cement using the same sub-standard materials.
The paper quoted the Director-General of the GSA, Professor Alex Dodoo, as saying unannounced visits to the premises of the three companies by the GSA Enforcement Team showed that they had resumed full operations without authorisation.
He said sub-standard cement could pose serious risks to construction projects and public safety, stressing that it might not have the necessary strength and durability to withstand the demands of various construction applications. As a result, trade standards officers from the GSA have been charged to take strong action against any cement manufacturer found to be operating in violation of the ban.
The GSA, Prof. Dodoo said, would issue directives to consumers and construction companies in the coming days to be vigilant and ensure that they were using certified and quality-assured cement for their projects. He said it was essential for the authorities to take a swift and decisive action to address the issue and ensure that only high-quality cement was produced and used across the country.
First of all, The Chronicle commends the GSA for detecting that despite the ban, the three companies were still operating. The Chronicle, however, disagrees with Prof. Dodoo that his outfit would take a swift and decisive action to address the issue without mentioning prosecution.
It has become common nowadays to see buildings under construction collapsing due to the inferior products used. Unfortunately, it is the poor construction workers who suffer the penalty of death for some of these reckless actions, whilst the owners walk away free of charge.
Though we do not have the evidence, we presume that these erring cement manufacturing companies sell their products cheap to consumers. And looking at the cost of building materials in the country, consumers who are obviously not aware that these cements are not up to standard, will go for them instead of the well-established ones. The end product is that the buildings are going to collapse on people who did not commit any crime.
The Chronicle is, therefore, suggesting to the GSA to immediately report the owners of these cement manufacturing companies to the police for their immediately prosecution. This, we believe, will serve as deterrent to others who may try to copy the bad example they have set.
It appears the so-called investors are only interested in the money they will make, and do not care a hoot about the welfare of the final consumer of their products. This is shear wickedness that must not be allowed to gain roots in the country. We insist that prosecution is the answer to the emerging evil trend.
