Accra, March 11, – The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has encouraged the increased use of calcined clay in cement production, describing it as a key innovation that could significantly reduce the country’s dependence on imported clinker.
According to the Authority, clinker imports currently account for about 50 per cent of the cost of producing cement, and the use of locally sourced calcined clay could help lower production costs while promoting sustainable construction practices.
Mr Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite, Deputy Director-General of the GSA, made the call during a community outreach programme held in Accra to educate the public on safe and sustainable building practices.
He explained that the initiative followed the commissioning of the world’s largest calcined clay cement plant at the Tema Industrial Enclave by President John Dramani Mahama on March 9, 2026.
The facility, he said, was expected to support sustainable industrialisation, promote climate-smart development and strengthen Ghana’s position as a centre for innovative manufacturing in West Africa.
“This initiative will also strengthen the economy because the savings from construction could translate into additional disposable income for families, institutions and government to invest in other sectors,” he said.
The outreach programme, organised at Jamestown in Accra, formed part of the GSA’s broader campaign to promote standards compliance and improve building safety in communities.
The exercise was conducted in partnership with BAM, a German research institute specialising in materials science and testing.
During the programme, participants were taken through standard procedures for mixing cement, sand and water to produce durable concrete for construction works.
Mr Jabanyite said the GSA and BAM had also developed a handbook on safe, smart and durable construction in Ghana, which provides practical guidance on the safe use of cement and concrete, the different types of cement available and their appropriate applications.
The handbook also highlights important health and safety measures that artisans and builders must observe when handling construction materials.
He noted that the global construction industry was gradually shifting towards a circular economy, which encourages the use of locally available and reusable materials to reduce waste and environmental impact.
Mr Jabanyite therefore urged artisans and professionals within the built environment to strictly comply with established standards to ensure that buildings remained safe and durable.
Dr Wolfram Schmidt, Senior Researcher at the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, also stressed the need for safe and durable construction practices.
He noted that cement, the primary material used in concrete production, contained chemical substances that could pose health risks if not handled properly.
Dr Schmidt therefore encouraged builders and artisans to adopt efficient material use and observe safety precautions in order to minimise waste and protect their health while ensuring the longevity of buildings.
GHBUSS
11 March 2026
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