Businessman Ibrahim Mahama has urged the state to deliberately create opportunities and support systems that will enable more local businesses to grow into major industrial enterprises. He made the call during the fifth anniversary celebration of Dzata Cement, the Portland cement manufacturing company in Tema. Mr. Mahama, the Founder, Sole Shareholder and Group Chief Executive Officer of DZATA Holdings, emphasized that entrepreneurship should go beyond establishing successful companies to building institutions capable of surviving their founders.
Mr. Mahama said one of the motivations behind the establishment of Dzata Cement was to demonstrate that Ghanaians could establish and operate large-scale businesses instead of depending largely on foreign-owned companies. He noted that there are other ventures in which he wants to prove to Ghanaians that they can't always be beggars and only be employees of foreign companies, but can build it themselves. According to Mr. Mahama, his experience in establishing Dzata Cement had reinforced his belief that Ghanaian entrepreneurs had the capacity to conceive, finance, construct and manage large-scale industrial ventures capable of competing in sectors critical to the country's development.
Dzata Cement, described as Ghana's only wholly Ghanaian-owned cement manufacturing company, has completed five years of operations after navigating financial, operational and market challenges. The company's establishment was driven by Mr. Mahama's ambition to challenge the perception that major industrial ventures, particularly in the cement industry, had to be owned and operated by foreign companies. Located on a 10-acre site near the Tema Port, the plant represents an investment of more than $100 million and uses technology supplied by German equipment manufacturer Haver & Boecker to produce Portland Cement.
The company currently has a production capacity of about 80,000 bags a day, equivalent to approximately two million tonnes annually. Dzata Cement is also expected to produce its 30 millionth bag of cement within days, marking a major production milestone in its five-year journey. Mr. Mahama also urged leaders and business owners to deliberately entrust younger people with responsibilities to develop a new generation of capable managers and entrepreneurs. He said he had intentionally withdrawn from the day-to-day management of Dzata Cement to give younger leaders the opportunity to take risks, gain experience and strengthen their managerial abilities.
Mr. Mahama's approach to succession involves working alongside the younger generation before gradually handing over responsibilities as they gain experience. This approach is already reflected in the management of Dzata Cement, where his daughter, Nafisa Mahama, serves as Managing Director. Mr. Mahama's decision to establish a cement manufacturing plant was influenced by his earlier experience as a cement transporter and mining contractor. His work transporting cement allowed him to observe the industry closely, including its manufacturing and distribution processes.
The Managing Director of Dzata Cement, Nafisa Mahama, used the anniversary to acknowledge customers whose confidence in the brand had contributed to the company's progress. She said the milestone was being marked with appreciation for customers who had trusted Dzata Cement and used its products for their construction projects. Ms. Mahama also recognised the contribution of distributors, particularly those who continued to work with the company during periods of difficulty.
Ms. Mahama described employees as the heart of the business and commended them for their dedication, sacrifices and commitment. She pledged that employee welfare would remain a priority as the company entered its next phase of growth. The company has received support from various stakeholders, including former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, distributors, and local and international suppliers.
Key points
- Ibrahim Mahama urges stronger support for Ghanaian entrepreneurs to grow into major industrial enterprises.
- Dzata Cement marks 5 years of operations, navigating financial, operational and market challenges.
- The company has a production capacity of about 80,000 bags a day, equivalent to approximately two million tonnes annually.
