President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned what developers describe as the world’s largest calcined clay plant at the Free Zones Enclave in Tema, marking a major milestone in Ghana’s push toward sustainable industrialisation and low-carbon cement production.
The facility, developed by CBI Ghana Limited in partnership with Heidelberg Materials and international investors, is expected to significantly reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported clinker — the most carbon-intensive component used in cement production.
Commissioning the plant, President Mahama said the project represents a decisive step in transforming Ghana’s industrial base while addressing environmental concerns associated with traditional cement manufacturing.
“What CBI Ghana has built here is a statement about Ghanaian potential,” the President said. “We have taken the clay beneath our feet and turned it into industrial leadership.”
Reducing emissions and imports
According to the President, the plant will cut carbon emissions by about 400,000 tonnes annually, equivalent to removing roughly 80,000 cars from Ghana’s roads each year.
The facility will also reduce Ghana’s clinker import dependency by more than 10%, helping retain hundreds of millions of cedis within the local economy.
“This project shows that Ghana rejects the false choice between development and sustainability,” Mahama said. “We can pursue industrial growth while protecting the environment.”
$150 million industrial investment
Chief Executive Officer of CBI Ghana Limited, Frederic Albrecht, described the project as a historic achievement for both the company and Ghana’s construction industry.
“Today is a milestone for CBI Ghana and a historic day for Ghana,” he said. “The eyes of the cement world are on Ghana as we set a new global standard for sustainable construction.”
Albrecht explained that the $150 million investment allows the company to replace imported clinker with locally produced calcined clay, cutting emissions by up to 40% while strengthening the country’s industrial supply chain.
He noted that Ghana spends nearly $500 million annually importing clinker, a situation the new technology aims to change by utilising locally available clay.
“We believed then and we believe now that resilience, creativity and excellence define the Ghanaian spirit,” he said.
Driving the 24-Hour Economy
The new plant is also designed to operate continuously as part of the government’s 24-Hour Economy vision.
Albrecht said the facility will produce up to 1.5 million tonnes of cement and 400,000 tonnes of calcined clay annually, creating additional employment opportunities through round-the-clock operations.
President Mahama said the plant demonstrates how Ghanaian industry can align with the government’s economic transformation agenda.
“For too long we have accepted that our factories go quiet at night,” he said. “This plant shows what the 24-Hour Economy looks like when it is fully realised.”
Industry and diplomatic support
Speaking at the event, board member of Heidelberg Materials, Katharina Beumelburg, said the project represents a major breakthrough in the global transition toward low-carbon construction materials.
She explained that the calcined clay technology significantly reduces clinker use while improving the durability of cement products.
“This project transforms an abundant local material into a high-value, low-carbon construction binder,” she said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Mary Awusi, also praised the investment, describing it as a sign of strong investor confidence in Ghana’s industrial environment.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive of the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana, Dr George Dawson-Ahmoah, said the plant represents a major innovation in cement production and will help strengthen Ghana’s manufacturing sector.
The Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Simone Giger, highlighted the project as an example of how international partnerships can combine technology, investment and sustainability to drive industrial progress.
A centre for global innovation
President Mahama said the project positions Ghana as a global centre of excellence for calcined clay technology, attracting researchers, engineers and investors from around the world.
“This is how countries rise — by building knowledge, technology and industrial capacity at home,” he said.
The President urged investors and industrialists to study the project as a model for future manufacturing ventures across Ghana and Africa.
