By: Celestine Avi and Seth Eyiah
President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned the world’s largest calcined clay cement plant at the Tema Free Zones Enclave, describing it as a major milestone in Ghana’s industrial revival and sustainable manufacturing drive.
The $110 million facility, developed by CBI Ghana, has an annual production capacity of 1.5 million tonnes of environmentally friendly calcined clay cement and is expected to significantly reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported clinker.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on the eve of Independence Day, President Mahama says the project represents more than the opening of a factory, calling it a tangible step toward repositioning Ghana as an industrial leader on the continent.
Women Leading Industrial Growth
The President commendded the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, noting that Ghana’s industrial growth is currently being driven by strong female leadership.
He congratulated the management of CBI Ghana and particularly praised the Managing Director for continuing the legacy of his father, who initiated the project years ago.
Call for Succession Planning in Ghanaian Businesses
President Mahama used the occasion to urge Ghanaian entrepreneurs to prioritise succession planning to prevent the collapse of businesses after the death of their founders.
He cited Casapreco Industries as an example of a local company that has successfully transitioned leadership from founder to the next generation.
According to him, sustainable enterprise development requires deliberate planning beyond the lifetime of business founders.
Reaffirming Nkrumah’s Industrial Vision
Referencing Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, President Mahama reiterated that industrialisation remains the key to unlocking Ghana’s long-term prosperity.
He announced government’s target to increase manufacturing’s contribution to GDP to at least 15 percent by 2030, a move expected to generate over 500,000 decent jobs.
The President expressed confidence that ongoing factory commissions and industrial expansions across the country will help achieve this goal.
Cement Prices Decline Amid Economic Stabilisation
Touching on developments in the cement sector, President Mahama noted that cement prices, which peaked at about GH¢120 per bag in late 2024, have fallen by approximately 20 percent by mid-2025.
He attributed the decline to macroeconomic stabilisation, fiscal discipline and sustained engagement between government and industry players.
Recent data from the Ghana Statistical Service, he said, shows construction inflation declining to 3.9 percent year-on-year in January 2026, signalling improved stability in the sector.
Reducing Imports, Boosting Local Value
The newly commissioned plant introduces limestone calcined clay cement technology, which significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to traditional cement production.
President Mahama explained that the facility will replace large volumes of imported clinker with locally sourced clay, cutting import reliance by more than 10 percent and retaining hundreds of millions of cedis within the domestic economy.
The clay is processed using natural gas supplied from Ghana’s oil and gas fields, with government recently signing major investment agreements with Jubilee partners and ENI to increase gas production to support industrial growth.
AfCFTA Compliance and Export Expansion
The President revealed that cement produced at the facility meets rules of origin requirements under the African Continental Free Trade Area, positioning Ghanaian cement to compete favourably within regional markets.
He says the project strengthens Ghana’s ambition to produce not only for domestic consumption but also for export across Africa.
24-Hour Economy in Action
Designed to operate 24 hours a day throughout the year, the facility aligns with government’s 24-hour economy policy aimed at maximising productivity and job creation.
The project has already created 109 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect jobs across the supply chain, logistics and support services.
President Mahama says such high-quality industrial employment is critical to Ghana’s long-term economic transformation, especially at a time when government is investing heavily in infrastructure under its “Big Push” programme.
Tema Industrial Zone to Be Rehabilitated
The President also announced plans to rehabilitate the entire Tema Industrial Zone through a public-private partnership, upgrading roads, drainage systems and waste treatment infrastructure to restore Tema’s status as Ghana’s premier industrial hub.
A New Chapter in Ghana’s Industrial History
President Mahama described the commissioning of the calcined clay plant as the beginning of a new chapter in Ghana’s industrial history, one where economic growth and environmental sustainability coexist.
He officially declared the CBI Ghana Calcined Clay Plant and Expanded Cement Factory commissioned, expressing optimism that Ghana’s industrial resurgence is firmly on course.
