Ghana cement manufacturers face cartel allegations over uniform surcharge

The consumer watchdog CUTS International has raised antitrust concerns regarding a uniform GH¢12 per bag surcharge implemented by cement manufacturers in Ghana. The Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana (COCMAG) reportedly reached this decision during an emergency meeting on August 28, 2026, to address rising demurrage costs caused by severe congestion at Tema Port.

Industry figures indicate that vessel waiting times at the port increased from an average of seven days in January 2026 to between 30 and 40 days by August. This congestion resulted in estimated industry-wide demurrage costs of US$45 million to US$50 million during the first eight months of the year. The GH¢12 surcharge consists of GH¢10 before tax and GH¢2 in taxes and levies.

While CUTS International acknowledges the manufacturers' right to recover legitimate costs, it warns that the collective agreement on an identical surcharge price among competitors bears the hallmarks of cartel behavior. Appiah Kusi Adomako, Director for the West Africa Regional Centre at CUTS, noted that competition concerns arise when rivals determine a common price component rather than calculating their own independent exposure. The surcharge is scheduled to remain in place until December 31, 2026, with a review planned for January 2027.