Cement and Building Material Prices in Ghana 2026: Ghacem, Diamond, Dangote

Anyone budgeting a build in Ghana this year needs to understand why the cement price in Ghana is harder to pin down than it looks. A bag is not just "a bag": it can be a different brand, strength grade or size depending on the shop, and in 2026 manufacturers added a temporary surcharge because of congestion at Tema Port. This guide explains what we could verify about cement from Ghacem, Dangote and Diamond, gives the latest bag prices we found with their dates, and covers blocks, iron rods and roofing so you can plan a realistic budget.

Cement price in Ghana: what we could verify and when

Cement prices in Ghana are not fixed by a regulator: manufacturers and distributors set them. In January 2026 the Ghana Standards Authority said it had not approved any price adjustment after reports of a GH¢6 rise, and added that manufacturers and distributors set cement prices, not the Authority.

The most recent retail bag prices we could confirm are from May 2025. At that time, Ghacem 32R was reported at about GH¢120 per bag, while shops were quoting GH¢125 in Accra and GH¢130 in Kumasi, while a viral claim that cement had fallen to GH¢82 or GH¢85 was found to be false. We could not find a published 2026 shop price per bag, so treat those figures as an older reference point and call two or three dealers for today's quote. Prices move with the exchange rate, shipping and stock, and the surcharge below applies on top of what you may remember.

The 2026 cement surcharge and Tema Port congestion

On 3 September 2026, Citi Newsroom reported that the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG) had introduced a temporary clinker demurrage surcharge of GH¢12 per bag (GH¢10 before tax plus GH¢2 in taxes and levies), following an emergency meeting on 28 August 2026. COCMAG said the surcharge is not a general price increase. It is meant to recover costs from congestion at Tema Port, where vessel waiting times reportedly rose from about seven days in January to between 30 and over 40 days in August.

The surcharge is stated to run until 31 December 2026, with a formal review planned for January 2027. GhanaWeb reported on 9 September 2026 that some retailers had seen lower sales as customers bought less or delayed purchases, and that retailers questioned the increase and asked for government intervention. For a buyer, the point is simple: ask each dealer whether the quote includes the surcharge, and expect prices to change again when the port situation or the review changes.

Ghacem, Diamond and Dangote: how the brands differ

The main brands you will see in Ghanaian hardware shops include Ghacem, Dangote, Diamond and CIMAF. Ghacem sells several grades, such as Super Strong 42.5R, Super Rapid 32.5R and Extra 42.5N, so "a bag of Ghacem" can mean different products. The grade matters for the job: use the grade your engineer or mason specifies for structural work such as columns, beams and slabs, rather than choosing the cheapest bag. When you compare quotes, compare like for like (same brand, same grade, same 50kg bag size, same delivery terms).

Beware of ads that look too cheap. One Jiji Ghana listing titled "Ghacem Cement for Construction" showed GH₵92 with no bag size, quantity or grade stated, which is well below the May 2025 shop prices above. An ad like that is a reason to ask questions (what size, what grade, is it in stock, is the price per bag) rather than evidence of the market price. White cement is a different product and was listed on Jiji at GH₵360 to GH₵450 for a 50kg bag.

Regional price differences in Ghana

Much of Ghana's cement is supplied from coastal points such as Tema and Takoradi, so distance from the coast adds haulage cost. In May 2025, shops were quoting GH¢125 in Accra against GH¢130 in Kumasi for Ghacem, a difference of about GH¢5 per bag. Expect the gap to widen for remote towns because of haulage, and ask whether your price includes offloading and delivery. Buying in bulk straight from a dealer or supplier near the port is often the first lever for a bigger project.

Building block prices in Ghana

Sandcrete and concrete blocks are cheap per piece but add up quickly across a house. On Jiji Ghana in early October 2026, 5-inch hollow or solid blocks were listed at GH₵7 to GH₵10, and 6-inch hollow or solid blocks at GH₵8 to GH₵9. Designer or breeze blocks cost more, around GH₵18 to GH₵46 depending on the pattern and size. The ads do not always spell out the unit, so confirm the price is per block, whether delivery is included and how many blocks the quote covers. Block-making sites near your build can save on transport, and a visit to check curing and strength is worth it.

Iron rod and reinforcement prices in Ghana

Iron rods vary by diameter (10mm, 12mm, 16mm), length (30ft or 40ft) and grade (plain or high tensile). In early October 2026, Jiji Ghana listings included 12mm rods "in tons" at GH₵7,500 and 12mm 40ft high-tensile rods "in tons" at GH₵13,200, while many other ads gave a single price without stating the unit. Single used or new rods were listed at about GH₵30 to GH₵65 each. Because the unit is often missing, always ask: per rod, per bundle or per ton, which diameter, which grade, and is it delivered?

Roofing sheet prices in Ghana

Roofing options include aluzinc long-span or IBR sheets, stone-coated sheets, alu-zinc tiles and shingles, and corrugated fibre cement sheets. A 3.33ft by 8ft corrugated fibre cement sheet was listed at GH₵110 and a 4ft by 8ft slate sheet at GH₵110 on Jiji in early October 2026. An Accra seller listed an aluzinc IBR 0.35mm sheet at GH₵1,950 without saying whether that was per sheet or per bundle. Many alu-zinc tile ads showed a price of about GH₵55 with "bulk prices" in the text and no unit. Thickness (gauge), coating and sheet length change the price a lot, so ask for a written quote showing thickness, length, quantity and total.

How to budget when building material prices keep changing

• Get at least three quotes for cement, blocks, rods and roofing, and write down the brand, grade, size and delivery terms for each.
• Ask for the price including any COCMAG surcharge and confirm how long the quote is valid.
• Add a contingency for price movement, especially for a long project.
• Consider buying in stages so you are not storing cement for months. Cement bags should be kept dry and off the ground.
• Pay a deposit to a supplier only when you can verify who they are. Our guide on wholesale building and construction materials from African suppliers explains how to vet sellers.

Nigerian buyers or importers comparing markets can read cement prices in Nigeria in 2026, but those prices are for Nigeria only and do not apply to Ghana.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a bag of cement in Ghana? The last retail prices we could confirm were about GH¢125 in Accra and GH¢130 in Kumasi in May 2025 for Ghacem. In 2026 manufacturers added a temporary GH¢12 per bag surcharge, so ask dealers for current quotes.

Which cement is best in Ghana, Ghacem, Diamond or Dangote? All are widely sold. Choose the strength grade your engineer specifies and compare quotes for the same grade and bag size, not just the brand name.

Why do cement prices change so often in Ghana? Cement depends on imported inputs, shipping and the exchange rate, and in 2026 port congestion at Tema led to a temporary surcharge. Reports of price changes can also be wrong, as the January 2026 and May 2025 cases show.

Does the surcharge apply to every bag? COCMAG announced it as an industry-wide temporary surcharge until 31 December 2026, subject to review. Ask your dealer whether the quote includes it.

Getting started

Browse building materials on Comilmart and compare current prices from sellers, chat with them about grade, size and delivery, and pay with buyer protection (payment held until delivery is confirmed, with a 7-day window to report issues). Contractors and resellers can use the B2B wholesale catalog for MOQs and tiered pricing, request a quote, or create a free account to start.