Dangote Cement has been adjudged the highest taxpayer in Tema for 2016.

This was at an event organized by the Tema Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to recognize the company that contributed significantly to government revenue by way of taxes within the previous year.

Dangote Cement contributed an average of GHC150 million to government revenue as at December 15.

The amount is mainly as a result of the importation of 1000 trucks last year, in a bid to increase its distribution channels across the country. That, coupled with the expansion of production silos at its Tema plant, led to the creation of more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs.

At the ceremony was the Commissioner General of the GRA, George Blankson.

He commended Dangote Cement for contributing a sizeable chunk of revenue to the national coffers since it began operations in Ghana. He called on other businesses to carry out their tax obligations with diligence to ensure economic growth.

Receiving the award on behalf of the company, Media Relations Manager, Etornam Komla Buami says, “This demonstrates our commitment to making a significant contribution to the growth of Ghana’s economy through the payment of taxes. Moving into the future, we are looking at continuing this feat through the creation of more jobs and expansion of our operations to cater for our clients in all parts of the country.”

Since entering the Ghanaian market six years ago, Dangote Cement, a subsidiary of the Dangote Group of Companies, has contributed over USD 200 million to the local economy. It plans to complete the construction of its second plant to be situated in Takoradi, by the end of 2017. The USD 100 million grinding plant would have the capacity to produce 1.5 million metric tonnes of cement.