The Executive Secretary of the Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana (CMAG), Rev. Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, has commended the Diamond Cement Group for investing in clinker production with the establishment of the first-ever clinker factory in Ghana.
He observed clinker as the biggest component in the production of cement, and as such any effort to produce it locally to embrace government's local content policy and value addition deserves commendation.
Savanna Diamond Cement Limited (SDCL)-Buipe, established by the Diamond Cement Group in 2014, has an attachment of the first clinker factory in Ghana – which has the capacity to refine/convert local limestone for the production of local clinker.
Welcoming guests, Mr. K.S. Bhaskara Rao, Commercial Manager-Diamond Cement Group, informed that the maiden customer awards ceremony aimed at acknowledging loyal customers/distributors whose commitment have ensured the company stayed in business to grow Ghana's cement market. He said the Group will continue to appreciate loyal customers in every part of the country where it operates to drive the cause.
On his part, the Group Managing Director, Mr. Prasad Motaparti, expressed the Group's delight to host its partners/customers whose businesses have complemented their huge investments; and particularly praised Ghanaians for the support, stressing that the success of Diamond Cement belongs to Ghanaians for accepting the brand.
Such support, he noted, has informed the Group's continuous investment in the economy. He recalled the acquisition and revival of the ailing Tema Steel Works of the Ghana Industrial Holding (GIHOC) now known as Tema Steel Company Ltd. – which has now transformed Ghana from an importer to exporter of steel.
Cement, as a scarce commodity in Ghana and West African region, has also seen the Group's investment into cement factories: including Diamond Cement Ghana Ltd. (DCGL) in Aflao; Savanna Diamond Cement Ltd. (SDCL)-Buipe; and the Western Diamond Cement Ltd. (WDCL), which employs latest manufacturing processes with the use of vertical rolling mill technology that produces better quality cement.
Mr. Motaparti further mentioned investment in the establishment of substations: including Aflao Substation (25MW), cost borne by Diamond Cement Group and ECG; and Buipe Substation established in collaboration with GRIDCO – a three-phase supply with capacity of 25MW with the company using only 7MW and the remaining 18MW available for the region, all as a form of a Public Private Participation.
The WDCL & ECG jointly laid an electric line for which the WDCL contributed US$0.5million, apart from facilitating raising an additional US$2million for funding the project and also construction of the railway line connecting the Port of Lome and DCGL – in fulfillment of the Group's long-cherished dream/concept of interconnecting railways of the ECOWAS countries.
He said Group is also committed to supporting development of the three regions where it operates – in the areas of education and health with the construction of classrooms, bore-holes and provision of direct and indirect employment for over 5,000 people. He added that the Diamond Cement Group also makes a huge financial contribution to the state in terms of direct and indirect taxes with an annual contribution of GH¢250million.