Rev. Dr Dawson-Ahmoah, who also chairs the Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana (GCMA) and the Association of Ghana Industries Tema branch, expressed concern over the increasingly unfair trade practices facing the local industry.

He stressed that for the local industry to thrive and become a major source of employment the GITC must start its work.

Speaking in an interview with the media, Rev. Dr Dawson-Ahmoah said the Ghana International Trade Commission Act which was passed into law in September 2016, was to create “a well-resourced, neutral, and independent decision-making agency that can provide speedy and effective redress to affected domestic industries where unfair trade practices or even fair trade practices resulting from trade liberalisation have hurt these parties.”

Rev. Dr Dawson-Ahmoah said “This protection is what the local industries, such as Ghacem Limited, need to be motivated to invest more”, stressing that the success of the proposed one district, one factory policy would be greatly dependent on the GITC.

The Ghacem strategy and corporate affairs director applauded the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the vision and willingness of the government to get the commission off the ground, but, cautioned that “justice delayed is justice denied.”

“The unfair trade practices in the country is one of the numerous challenges that the government has pledged to address to enable industry to thrive and become a major source of job creation,” he stated.