{
  "id": 5068094,
  "title": "The million-dollar problem sitting offshore: Why Ghana’s cement makers are adding GH¢12 to every bag",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/the-million-dollar-problem-sitting-offshore-why-ghanas-cement-makers-5068094",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-02T10:35:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/the-million-dollar-problem-sitting-offshore-why-ghanas-cement-makers-are-adding-gh%c2%a212-to-every-bag/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana's cement producers are on the verge of imposing a GH¢12 per bag surcharge on their products, a move aimed at shedding light on the challenges they face due to congested Tema Port. The additional charge comes as a temporary, direct pass-through measure on invoices, to be reviewed quarterly. The surge in costs stems from prolonged waiting times and escalating demurrage fees at the port, which reached a staggering US$45 to US$50 million in losses this year alone. The issue arises from clinker, the primary raw material for cement production, taking an average of 40 days to clear port, up from the initial seven days. The situation is further exacerbated by rising daily vessel demurrage rates, amounting to around US$27,000 per day, which can accumulate to over US$1 million for vessels idled for 40 days before offloading a single tonne. The extended journey of clinker from China, combined with the port delays, has stretched the supply cycle to three months, creating a structural bottleneck. The industry insists that the surcharge is not a standard price hike but a direct response to the current operational realities. They are actively engaging with government stakeholders, including the Ministries of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry and Transport, to find solutions. The focus is on optimizing access to Berths 10 and 11 to alleviate the vessel backlog. Until port operations are streamlined, the cement manufacturers anticipate passing on the demurrage burden to consumers through the surcharge, a measure intended to alleviate the strain on the economy.",
  "summary": "There is trouble brewing ofshore, and Ghana’s cement manufacturers want to make sure the public understands the operational realities driving their latest pricing decision.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Guide Network",
        "title": "The Million- Dollar Problem Sitting Offshore – Why Ghana’s Cement Makers Are Preparing To Add GH¢12 To Every Bag",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/the-million-dollar-problem-sitting-offshore-why-ghanas-cement-makers",
        "published": "2026-09-02T10:14:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "The million-dollar problem sitting offshore: Why Ghana’s cement makers are adding GH¢12 to every bag",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/the-million-dollar-problem-sitting-offshore-why-ghanas-cement-makers-5073754",
        "published": "2026-09-02T11:28:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}