The Cost of a Bag of Cement in Ghana within the Last 3 Years

Cement is the most commonly used building material in Ghana. Many commodities, goods and services including petroleum products, have seen price hikes over the years with cement not being an exception. The price of cement within the last three years has been increased by almost 120%, causing controversies.

In 2011, a bag of cement was sold at GH¢15.00 ($6.35) and saw a dramatic increase to GH¢17.00 ($7.20) in the following year. The price then shot up to GH¢18.00 or $7.63 in 2013. Today, a bag of cement is sold at GH¢19.00 ($8.10) or even at higher price, depending on the shop from where it is being bought. Unfortunately, with the recent increase in petroleum products, the price of cement is equally likely to climb to GH¢25.00 ($10.63) by the end of January.

If fuel price instability is the main cause of the price increase in cement in Ghana, certainly there are other factors that can be cited, explaining the volatility in the cost of cement.

1. High In Demand - Being the most commonly used building material; cement is much patronized in the construction industry in Ghana. Unfortunately, GHACEM, which is Ghana’s leader in cement production does not have proper infrastructure to meet customers’ needs. In 2007-08, the company was forced to shut down production for several days due to some technical problems. This triggered the increase in price. It is expected that as the demand of a product goes high, its price increases because the company is unable to provide for customers’ needs.
2. Monopoly System - The cement industry in Ghana has been plagued by monopoly. Research shows that GHACEM, the government major share-holding company, had a market share of 97%, before the construction of the new cement factory in Buipe, a small town located in Northern Ghana. Since 2007, GHACEM dominance is diminishing slowing. Recently, other cement producing firms have emerged. They include Diamond Cement, Dangote and Sol cement. Nonetheless, GHACEM is yet to experience a major competition; customers are very much attached to the local brand and are yet to patronize the imported ones.
3. Price Wars - In a bid to prove its superiority over its competitors, GHACEM escalated the price of its cement not only to distinguish itself from other cement producing companies, but also to put a value on its product. To prevent any inferiority tag placed on them, the other cement producing companies also increased their prices, leading to frequent increases. Over the years, the war of dimension of product quality between GHACEM and local cement producing companies has resulted in price competition.

The commercial competition characterized by the increase of prices rather is affecting the consumer. Cement price instability has made building of house very difficult and challenging for the ordinary Ghanaian. More often than not, people have to leave their buildings uncompleted for so many years due to their inability to come to terms with the drastic increase in the price of cement or simply have to opt for makeshift buildings and wooden structures, while some constructors are forced to build poor quality houses to beat down construction cost.

Undoubtedly, it is high time cement producing companies in Ghana adopted strategic measures to stabilize the price of a bag of cement – making it accessible and affordable for ultimate low cost housing. But judging by the current situation, the country will not experience any price depreciation anytime soon, at least not until 2016. Ghana remains one of the most expensive countries to live in.

If house building has become a less appealing activity for the average Ghanaian, the majority of estate developers, constructors, and proprietors will defy cement price increment by adopting new ways of building houses and doubling their annual earnings at the expense of the ordinary Ghanaian and expatriates who often complain about the low-quality but high-cost rental of houses.

For the time being, in anticipating of a ‘miracle,’ Ghanaian consumers would have to adjust themselves and suffocate a little bit more under high-cost of living, wondering how long they would have to muddle through unjustified frequent price increase.

Have you seen other Cement prices in Ghana lately? What are Cement prices in your country? Leave your comment or experience with Cement below or on our Facebook Page here.

How to Decorate Your New Home in Ghana on a Low Budget

So let's say you have just made an investment in building your green-home in Ghana, because you're conscious of the environmental impact of housing and because you know that in the long run you will be saving money (plus your house will be worth so much more). Once the work is completed, there's nothing more exciting than to finally enter your new home. Of course at the beginning it feels like cold and unwelcoming, so you really want to turn it from “house” to “home”. The first thing you have to think of is how to decorate it. Indeed, to create a nice and welcoming environment is fundamental for a positive living. However, you don’t want to spend a fortune on it, so here are a few tips on how you can decorate your new house without spending too much without renouncing to quality and style.

First of all, walls! Whenever you get a new house, you always have to re-paint the walls, either to renew them or to give them the color you wish for your house. When it comes to choosing colors, some of the most popular ones are soft grey, muted pink and taupe, although you can find many other amazing colors that will blow your mind. One of the latest trends is painting the walls of two different colors, making the walls that face each other the same tone (two walls a lighter shade and the ones in front a darker shade). A good way to save money and, also, have fun, is to paint the walls yourself. You can ask someone to help you out, so it will also be a nice and different way to spend time together, especially if you plan to live in it with your significant other, friends or family. After the walls are ready, the house is ready to be filled in.

Hence, furniture! Unless you are taking them with you from your old house, if you're missing some furniture a good idea is to buy it second hand on a free-classifieds website. It's best to contact more than one seller since the items they offer could be already taken or not in perfect condition, so you can choose between all the ones you like when it comes to furniture and decoration. This is specially true when it comes to electronic devices such as kitchen appliances, washing machine, etc.; make sure they're in perfect condition and that you see them working!

When it comes to decoration, there are a few tricks you can use to make them cheaper and better. For example, if your house is very small, or you would like it bigger, use mirrors to make it look larger. It will also make it brighter, which is always cool, adds a positive vibe to the environment and can even help you save money on electricity bills since the light will bounce on them.

Another great way to save money is to have everything to serve a dual purpose. It’s particularly true when it comes to sofas and tables, especially when you are a very sociable person who always have a lot of friends over. Another huge saving thanks to DIY is that of sewing your own pillows. Not only it will save you a lot of money, but you can make them exactly of the size you want, stuffed as you want and you will surely have a lot more choice in therms of colors and textures.

How to Choose the Right Exterior Paint Colors for Your Ghana Home

Painting the exterior of your home not only protects it but also gives it a beautiful appeal. Advancement in technology has created several long-lasting and eco-friendly paints in various colours and variations. Most of these recent paints have been tailor-made to have properties suitable for the exterior of your building. For instance some paint colours can withstand adverse weather conditions whiles others ward off mosquitoes and other harmful insects like Ezzy® and Artilin® respectively.

When choosing the exterior paint colours for your home, these are a few hints you can consider to make your selection right!

1. The stability and total performance of the paint colours. Ensure the paint colour you choose has endurance properties and can stay visible for a very long time. Examples are the paints with enamel, giving a shiny and smooth finish. You don’t want to choose a paint colour that will become lost with time, causing you to repaint every now and then.
2. For the exterior parts of the house likely to encounter a lot of dampness especially during the rainy season, a paint that is resilient to moulds, mildew and fungi is the most appropriate which may usually come in dark colours. A better alternative is to use waterproof paints in these areas available from most paint companies in Ghana like Essy®, Azar®, Suvinil® and so on. If you have timber in certain sections of the exterior, be certain the colour chosen blends in well with the timber look and feel.
3. The sun’s rays are very strong in Ghana, mostly during the afternoons of the dry hot seasons. For the exterior of your building, you want to choose a paint colour that would not easily fade having much contact with strong sun rays. Very light colours like variants of the creams and beiges have a greater possibility of fading away easily with time if not well protected. Check the paint colour you select has protection from ultra-violet radiation.
4. Much as the sun is of concern, so are the rains. Look out for paint colours that would not easily wash off during the rainy seasons. Some paints colours wash off their colours onto other parts of the building making it unsightly. Choose washable paint colours, which normally come in acrylic type from paint manufacturers as Coral®, Essy® and many others. Do get some expert advice in deciding the various colours to apply for the different sections of the exterior of your building.
5. Some paints and colour mixes such as for textured and glossy finishes and Epoxy paints are so complex that, wrong mix and application can mess up your entire building. If you do not have the opportunity to solicit for expert assistance, settle for paint colours and variations that are easy to mix and apply to obtain full access to its benefits. You can always ask the manufacturer or retailers for the best directions.
6. Lately, going green is the hallmark of every activity; hence try to select paint colours that are environmentally friendly. The colours should not be so biting and sharp but can be such that it well integrates with the environment around it; such as the greys, greens and blues. Consider the natural environment around your home where your building is sitting and choose colours that integrate beautifully with the surroundings.

Exterior paint colours are very strong attractions to your home. The appropriate they look and stay, the more people get pleased with visiting your home, so think through carefully when selecting the exterior paint colours for your home in Ghana. Some paint manufacturers in Ghana offer paint colour selection consultancy services to help you make the right paint selection for your home.

How to Build a Picture-Perfect Wall Around Your Ghana House

Image source: AFTEC

In Ghana, one way of protecting your house and the people who leave in it is to build a wall around it. Walls also define the boundaries of the property or plot of land while serving as a design element. They are aimed at protecting the inhabitants and preventing unwanted or dangerous people from entering the house. Nevertheless, most of the time in Ghana, it ends up being too high or too dense, blocking views from outside and preventing you from appreciating what is around you.

Block walls are the most popular type of walls in Ghana mainly because concrete blocks are easy to make and find, and affordable as well. Concrete blocks, also called cement blocks or foundation blocks are usually made from cast concrete which is a mixture of sand and cement and sometimes fine gravel. Brick walls are not very common because bricks are quite limited in availability and not so popular with most Ghanaians, maybe due to the reason that it cannot be painted and decorated as much as block walls. Another reason may be that concrete blocks are easy and cheaper to dry after production in the sun which is very abundant most part of the year in Ghana, unlike bricks which are usually burnt in kilns.

Building a block wall does not take much time and can be completed in a couple of days. Block walls often range between eight to nine inches high, that is between about five to seven blocks stacked up and alternated with mortar infill to strengthen it. A reinforcement system of metal rebar is placed within the walls at well calculated distances to prevent it from collapsing and this creates the column (usually called pillars) you see between the walls. With much determination, focus and expertise guidance it is possible to build a picture-perfect wall that is clean, orderly and very pleasing around your house in Ghana.

Before starting to build the wall however, it is important you consult your house designer or Architect or more specifically, a Landscape Architect. Chances are that he or she may have already designed the wall with the main building design which makes things easier and faster for you. If there is no wall design, ask for some advice and contributions on how to build the wall to tie in with the house design perfectly. Some of the house design elements, materials and colours can be adapted in the wall design to bring about coordination and rhythm.

All walls need a good support to stand firm. This may be a foundation, footer or concrete slab. Whichever it is, it must be strong, clean and level so the mortar and blocks can sit stable and steady. The distance to dig the trench for the foundation will mostly depend on the soil profile and this is already calculated in the structural foundation drawings. You should be able to read or check the construction drawings to find the correct dimensions proposed by the designer or architect. Dimensions of the walls can be deduced from the floor plans and elevations of the external wall design layout. You can ask for assistance from your designer or Ghana Homes if you are struggling to understand the dimensions.

Security is very important for your home but try not to allow it be the main focus of the wall. You should not build it too high or all sealed up to cover the entire building within it, with obvious security features such as huge barbed wires and metal spikes. The security features should blend and tie in aesthetically with the wall so people appreciate the design and beautiful aspects of the wall more. You can make use of honeycomb blocks normally called design blocks in Ghana for your front wall to appreciate the surroundings. Limit protrusions and windings and try to keep it simple as this may go beyond the specified land boundaries which can bring about conflicts with adjacent land owners.

The key to a picture-perfect wall is prior design and good planning. If you desire a picture-perfect wall for your house in Ghana, you have to ask for assistance and guidance from the building experts. Do not think it is so easy and can be done without any prior planing and knowledge. You may end up with an unbalanced, weak and unattractive wall which may cover up all the beauty of your building.

7 Best Ways to Give New Life to Your Old Home in Ghana

Image source: cmskey

After staying in your home for a long time, the place seems to get boring and monotonous. You get tired of seeing the same colours and furniture over and over again. Sometimes going through the same spaces time and time again can be dull and unexciting. What you need is a house face lift. You have to give your home a revamp so it obtains a fresh and new look which will bring about a delightful stay again. Renovating you home does not have to be expensive, here are simple and economical ways to give a new look to your old home.

1. Your door handles, hinges and the knobs can be upgraded. This may have become weak and lost its beauty due to constant use. Simply get new sets with modern designs from a local shop and replace your door knobs and locks around the house.
2. Ensure the light bulbs used in the various rooms are adequate. For reading and learning areas like the study or home office, LED or energy saving bulbs are appropriate for their bright light emissions. The recreational and relaxing areas such as living area, family room and dining areas can have soft lighting with a bit of colour to give a different feeling.
3. Alter your window and door outlook by changing curtains and blinds! There are now very simple curtain styles you can opt for or go in for a different kind of window blind to rejuvenate the interior spaces.
4. Adjust your furniture by rearranging in a different way from the usual. You can even reduce the amount of furniture to create simple but a cute look. You don’t have to buy new furniture if you cannot afford it. You can simply change the cover fabric or lay in decorative chair coverings.
5. Bring new life to the walls and ceilings by repainting. Why not give modern wall papers a try? They are easy to install and change. You can play with the colours of your ceiling and walls. Giving them the same colour can feel repetitive so try a bold bright colour for the ceiling and a complementary neutral low tone colour for the walls or vice versa.
6. Bring a shine to your kitchen and bathroom by changing the rugs, mats, carpets, and shower curtains. Rearrange your cabinet and fix more racks to hold the things you use frequently. Replace the bed sheets and pillow cases with a brighter patterned fabric or softer cushion to feel more relaxed during sleep.
7. Remove all unnecessary clusters around the home. All items not in use must be given away or properly packed away! Take out unneeded furniture and elements in the hall and corridors to make it free and open. This gives a welcoming and an attractive look to the home. Place a new air freshener in these spaces and other communal spaces for the atmosphere in the home to feel pleasant and fresh.

Lighten up your old home with these new ideas! It will seem like a new house altogether.

7 Questions to Answer Before Building Your Dream Home in Ghana

Building your dream home can be very exciting but financially draining as well if proper measures are not considered. For a lot of people, you actually envisage your home in your dreams before physically starting the foundation. If you want to forever love, cherish and enjoy living in your dream home, take time to think through and answer these seven questions before starting any construction.

1. Do I have a concept? This is your dream home and you should have an idea how you want it to look like. Do you prefer the old–traditional styles or you want a contemporary home. Having an impression makes it easier for the Architect to develop your desires further. With the thought of building your dream home, first take a good look around. Go through several home magazines, home related websites and other tangible homes especially new homes for great ideas. You get to know the latest trends and available styles to develop wonderful ideas so you can carve out your preferences.
2. Do I have a Budget? A budget gives you an idea how much you want to spend on your new home. You have to find out how much money you can afford as against the probable cost of your dream home. If you become aware of this, you can adjust your House Plans to meet the proposed budget. However, if you still want to go ahead without enough money then is a good time to apply for a house loan or mortgage to aid in completing the house.
3. Do I have a Land? Whatever you want to build must be on a piece of land so get a site in a preferred area of your choice. You can either buy land outright or by installment from numerous estate companies in Ghana. Ghana Homes can assist you to get dispute free lands. Various areas or communities come with class and social status so be sure to find out before purchasing any land. More importantly, you have to investigate the physical conditions of the site such as soil condition, soil profile, land terrain, drainage systems and micro climate. This informs on the design of the building. Again, discover the zoning and building codes and regulations for the specific area to avoid confrontation with the law and land authorities. Security levels and access to social amenities like parks, shopping centers, schools and hospitals are essential to also look out for.
4. Do I have a Team? Putting together a dream can be a lot of work more especially the design and construction of a dream home. Specialized professionals in the built industry such as Architects, Engineers and Construction managers design and construct buildings with much competence and expertise so do not be hesitant to consult them. You can just hire an Architect who will get all the other team members or you can outsource your dream home in work packages step by step. Investigate to get the best consultants with good reputation and well known for quality work. Ghana Homes Group has a pool of expert professionals should you need any help.
5. Do I have a Plan? A building plan or House Plan shows the spatial arrangement of the proposed building. It depicts how each room is accessed and their functional coordination. You can choose from a wide range of House Plans from Ghana Homes or you can ask for a customized one if you have special family needs. Whatever your choice, settle on a plan that will satisfy you and your family needs for a long period of time.
6. Do I have the Time? Building a home in Ghana from scratch can take a while to complete. Before starting construction, the land must be well documented with the Lands Commission and a building permit issued from the Town and Country Planning Department. This is already time consuming not to mention halts and setbacks associated with construction. If you are not bounded by time then it will be a good idea to take your time and build to your taste, but if you have limited time buying an already existing home and renovating or upgrading may be better. Seek expert advice when caught in a fix of ‘building or buying’ to adequately explore all available alternatives before making a decision.
7. Do I have the Basic Utilities? Electricity and water are the basic essentials for survival in any community. You have to ensure these are or would be provided during construction and after occupancy. If either of them is lacking, this is the time to arrange for an alternative source. You can get a backup generator to supplement electricity later on but water is very critical to begin construction. A water storage system must be developed or storage tanks erected on site.

Building a home is a massive investment. Do not rush or you will regret later in life. Be sure to resolve any issues arising before beginning your dream home construction. All the best!

---

Your Dream Home is Our Passion! Take The First Step Now and Let The Dream Become a Reality. 

Enter Your First Name and Primary Email Address in the fields below and join the Ghana Home Building Community Plus Receive Updates on New House Plans and Great Articles.

How to Buy and Protect Your Land in Ghana

Land is a good investment and a valuable asset. It does not depreciate but rather appreciates with time. This means your land will be worth a double or triple or even quadruple of its current value in the next five to ten years. A lot can be done on the land to bring in income and satisfaction such as real estate, agriculture and recreational activities. Acquiring a land in Ghana can be cumbersome and time consuming so you need to protect it once you get hold of it. Here are 5 steps to get and protect a land in Ghana.

1. Physically inspect the land and all related documents. Several people and companies constantly advertise land for sale in Ghana. Do not be deceived by the company size or marketing strategies. Always go to the site to inspect its existence, size, accessibility and the environment. Some lands may be below the standard size or be a part of the road. Others may be so close to a high tension cable or a flowing river. Be vigilant and ask for all documents which may be site plan or indenture or title certificate. Try to locate the land for sale on the documents given. If there is any discrepancy or in doubt you can cross check with the Lands Commission.
2. Perform a land title search at the Lands Commission and contact the real owner. A land search involves applying to the Ghana Lands Commission to ask the validation and ownership of a particular land. You have to apply with the site plan or indenture to be used for checking. The real authentic owner of the land and in some cases their contact details are given to you after the search. They can also get you the history of owners of the land since its inception if you request for it. Mind you, it may take a while. Contact the owner to be certain of his/her approval of the land sale. It is only the owner,  his or her mandated representative who can sell the land. Be careful to look out for this! If you are dealing with the representative or agent, ask for a note of authorization to sell the land from the owner.
3. Draft and sign a purchase and transfer agreement before paying. When you are satisfied with the inspection and land search, draft a purchase and transfer agreement to be signed by both you and the seller. You can get a lawyer to assist you or contact Ghana Homes for professional lawyers to help you with all legal documentations. The agreement should spell out the exact purchase price, installment arrangements, date and place of transactions. Ensure all concerned parties sign this document before releasing any money out. Pay directly to the owner, his or her legal representative approved bank account.
4. Use a payment method supported with evidence such as Bank transfer. Payment must be documented in case of any conflicts or court actions so pay through the bank or a well-accepted money transfer method in Ghana. You can pay into the land owner’s or the sale company bank account. Try as much as possible to avoid direct cash payments as this brings about a lot of fraudulent manipulations. Do not pay a hundred per cent of the agreed sale price until all documents have been fully transferred into your name.
5. Transfer and register documents with the Lands Commission in your name. Visit the Lands commission to inform them about the transaction and apply for a transfer and subsequent registration of the land. Check that your name is correctly spelt on the site plan or indenture when finally issued. You can request for a title certificate later which takes much more time. The site plan and title certificate proves your legal ownership and right to the land. However, to prevent encroachers and squatters from your land, construct a fence wall around the site and lock the gate with security locks. This also gives other unsuspecting buyers the hint the land is soon to be developed.

Ghana Homes  Group has heard a lot of scam practices and stories from prospective clients who have been scammed and even to a point where one scam artist (related to the victim) committed suicide. We are committed to assist all individuals with the desire of owning and protecting their land in Ghana. We have qualified real estate lawyers who can help you acquire land headache free! And you pay attorney fees. Contact us today for a memorable experience!