Chief Executive Officer and Sole Shareholder of Dzata Cement Limited, Ibrahim Mahama, has challenged Ghanaians to have greater confidence in their ability to establish and grow large-scale businesses.
Speaking at the fifth anniversary celebration of Dzata Cement, Mr Mahama said the establishment of the cement manufacturing company was driven in part by his determination to prove that Ghanaian entrepreneurs could successfully venture into industries traditionally dominated by foreign companies.
He said Ghanaians should not limit themselves to being employees or consumers of foreign-owned businesses but should also take the initiative to build enterprises of their own.
“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 said his journey into cement manufacturing was inspired by his earlier experience as a cement transporter and mining contractor.
He recalled following his trucks to the Ghacem plant in Takoradi, where he observed the production process and became convinced that establishing a cement factory was within his reach.
“I looked at the structure and said, look, I could build one,” he recalled.
Determined to turn the idea into reality, Mr Mahama travelled to Germany, engaged manufacturers of cement production equipment and secured financing from banks to commence the project.
He said the construction and installation phase was, however, characterised by considerable financial and operational difficulties.
According to him, the intervention of his younger brother and other supporters played an important role in helping the company complete the installation of its equipment.
Mr Mahama also expressed appreciation to distributors who supported Dzata Cement during its formative years, particularly at a time when the company faced difficulties raising 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.
He also acknowledged the role played by former Trade Minister Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen in supporting the project under 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,” he said.
Mr Mahama further used the occasion to encourage established business owners to create opportunities for the younger generation to take on responsibilities and gain experience.
“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.
He said business owners should gradually involve their children in their enterprises, train them and eventually hand over responsibilities as they approach retirement.
“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 added.
Mr Mahama also recounted an exchange with a former Ghacem executive, Morten, who he said had doubted that a Ghanaian could establish a cement manufacturing plant.
“I said, Morten, you’re lying. I pray you live and see this plant being built,” he recalled.
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