More local limestone…For Ghacem`s cement production

Ghacem Limited is set to receive more local limestone for the production of cement at its plants. This has become possible with the intended commissioning of a Ghacem limestone mining project at Nauli in Western Nzema this May in collaboration with Mutiwall Paper Sacks (MPs) West Africa Limited.

In preparation for the venture, Ghacem in collaboration with Multi-walli Paper Sacks West Africa Limited paid about GH ¢40,000 compensation to 27 affected farmers on the 10,00-acre Nauli lands earmarked for project in the Jomoro District of West Nzema in the Western Region.

Payment to the farmers was made during a community ceremony attended by officials of Ghacem, local government authorities, chiefs and the affected farmers. It came after an agreement between Multi-Walli Paper-Sacks West Africa Limited led by Dr JA Adison and Ghacem Limited led by Mr Morten Gade, Managing Director.

That agreement mandated Ghacem to manage mining operations of the multi-Wall Paper-Sacks concession in respect of supplies of limestone to Ghacem for the production of cement. The agreement also provided for Western Bulk Haulage Limited, a subsidiary of Multi-Wall Paper-Sacks, to operate as contracted transporters of limestone from the Nauli Mines to Ghacem plant in Takoradi.

Mr Graham Bell, chairman of the Ghacem's Nauli Limestone Project Committee who is also the Works Manager of Ghacem's Takoradi Plant, stated that the advocacy of exploring and using local raw materials in the production of cement, Ghacem, he stressed was committed to maximizing the use of local raw material in its production process in order to reduce the need import clinker.

Mr Bell also noted that Ghacem currently uses an average of 24% of local limestone from Youngwa in the Yilo Krobo District of the Eastern Region as filler to clinker according to specifications of the international standards organizations (ISO) in the production of cement.

Community leaders present at the Nauli ceremony included Hon Victor Nyayikabenlah, DCE for Jomoro District; Nana Nyamekye Annoh, chief of Bonyere and representative of Wulae Annoh Adjeyi III, Omanhene of West Nzema Traditional Area; Dr JA Addison as well as chairman of Multi-Walli Paper Sacks, a minority shareholder and founding member of Ghacem; and Tufuhene Kwesi Bonyah, head of Nauli.

The affected members of the Nauli, milestone Zone farmers Association were led at the function by Mr Lewis Cobbinah, Vice-cahirman; and Mr Peter Ennor Assuah, secretary. Ghacem officials at the function included Dr George Daeson-Ahmoah, strategy and corporate Affairs Director, Mr JB Agbodjah, logistics and shipping Manager, Mr Bayor Seidu, Production Manger of the Takoradi plant, and Mr IC Bosumtwi, procurement Manager. Dr Dawson-Ahmoah noted that the Nauli limestone project would provide employment opportunities and that local competent people in the community would be given preference in the employment process.

He stressed that apart from the compensation, Ghacem would carry out corporate social responsibility programmes especially relating to health and education in the Nauli limestone mining community. He called on the people to corporate to ensure the mining project flourished.