GHACEM presents GH¢3.7 million to gov’t

Leading cement manufacturer, GHACEM Ghana Limited has presented a cheque of GH¢3.7million to Government, representing an interim dividend payment on its 2014 accounts

The dividend, which was declared at a meeting of the Board of Directors of GHACEM, represents government’s 400,000 shares held in the company.

Morten Gade, Managing Director (M.D) of GHACEM, who was accompanied by the Strategy and Corporate Affairs Director, Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, presented the cheque at a short but impressive ceremony at the Finance Ministry.

It was received by Mona Helen Quartey, Deputy Minister of Finance on behalf of the ministry.

Handing over the cheque, Mr. Morten Gade noted that what was being witnessed exemplified GHACEM’s commitment towards partnering the Government towards national development, “and we will not relent on our oars but continue to promote this partnership by remaining truly the nation builder in producing quality cement at affordable prices.”

“We take pride in presenting dividend due to the State as a law-abiding company and of course very glad to inform that the company has paid GH¢24.6 million to Government in a form of dividend from 2011 to date,” he said

Mr. Gade stressed that aside this dividend, the company also honours other financial obligations to the State in terms of Direct and Indirect taxes.

“In 2013 for example we handed over a cheque of GH¢.211.8 million with regard to these taxes.

Receiving the cheque on behalf of Government, Deputy Minister of Finance, Mona Helen Quartey, commended GHACEM for the consistency in paying dividend despite challenges in their sector and particularly praised them for the bold step taken to reduce the ex factory price of cement recently after the cedi appreciated against major international currencies

Government, she said, will continue to support GHACEM to achieve its goals for the country to benefit from the company’s success story

Later in an interview with the media, Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah noted that GHACEM cherishes such occasions.