The Chief Executive Officer and Sole Shareholder of Dzata Cement Limited, Ibrahim Mahama, has reaffirmed his belief in Ghanaian entrepreneurship, saying Ghanaians can build and own large-scale businesses rather than remain dependent on foreign companies.
Speaking at the fifth anniversary celebration of Dzata Cement, Mr Mahama said his decision to establish the cement manufacturing company was partly driven by a desire to challenge the perception that Ghanaians could not build a cement plant.
“There are other ventures that I want to prove to Ghanaians that we can’t always be beggars and we can’t only just be employees to foreign companies. We can build it ourselves,” he said.
Mr Mahama recounted how his experience as a cement transporter and mining contractor sparked the idea to establish a cement manufacturing plant.
He said after following his trucks to Ghacem in Takoradi to observe how cement was produced, he concluded that building a cement plant was achievable.
“I looked at the structure and said, look, I could build one,” he recalled.
He subsequently travelled to Germany, engaged equipment manufacturers and secured financing from banks to develop the plant.
Mr Mahama said the project faced significant financial and operational challenges during construction before his younger brother and others provided support to help complete the installation of the equipment.
He also acknowledged the support of distributors who stood by Dzata Cement during its early stages, including when the company struggled to raise funds to clear imported cement.
“They all joined hands together, the cement came, we allocated it to them, and then Dzata Cement started,” he said.
Mr Mahama also credited former Trade Minister Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen for supporting the project during the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
“Alan, wherever you are, I’m giving you a thumbs up. Thank you very much for standing behind us,” Mr Mahama said.
Reflecting on the company’s growth, Mr Mahama said he deliberately stepped away from the day-to-day management of Dzata Cement to give younger leaders the opportunity to take risks and develop their managerial capacity.
He said this forms part of his broader approach to succession across his businesses.
“In life, some of us should learn these lessons. We won’t live forever. So sometimes we should give the children the opportunity to be able to take that risk of managing,” he said.
Mr Mahama said his business philosophy is to build companies with the next generation in mind, gradually transferring management responsibilities to younger people.
“What we do is that we start running together and then as our children grow, we employ them into the business, we teach them, and then we go into retirement,” he said.
He recalled a conversation with former Ghacem boss Morten, who he said told him that no Ghanaian could build a cement plant.
“I said, Morten, you’re lying. I pray you live and see this plant being built,” he recounted.