Business mogul Ibrahim Mahama has urged the state to offer deliberate support to grow more local entrepreneurs in Ghana. He made the call at the fifth anniversary celebration of Dzata Cement, a Portland cement production factory in Tema, which he founded. Mr. Mahama stressed that entrepreneurship was not only about creating a successful company but also ensuring that the enterprise survives its founder.
Mr. Mahama's motivation for establishing Dzata Cement was to demonstrate that Ghanaians could build major businesses rather than remain dependent on foreign-owned enterprises. He said his experiences and achievement in establishing Dzata Cement validated his conviction that Ghanaian entrepreneurs could conceive, finance, build, and operate large-scale industrial businesses. Dzata Cement is the only wholly Ghanaian-owned cement manufacturing company.
The company's journey represents more than the establishment of a manufacturing plant; it is a demonstration of the entrepreneurial vision of the founder of DZATA Holdings. Mr. Mahama weathered significant financial, operational, and market challenges to establish the company as a growing and recognised brand in the country's construction industry. The plant, located on a 10-acre plot near Tema Port, represents an investment of more than $100 million.
Mr. Mahama also urged those in leadership to challenge younger people with responsibility to help nurture a new generation of "doers who can take over from the current generation. He said he had deliberately stepped away from the day-to-day management of Dzata Cement to give younger leaders the opportunity to take risks, acquire experience, and develop their managerial capabilities. His daughter, Nafisa Mahama, serves as Managing Director of Dzata Cement.
Mr. Mahama traced the origins of Dzata Cement to his days as a cement transporter and mining contractor. His involvement in transporting cement gave him the opportunity to observe the industry closely, including the manufacturing and distribution processes. Rather than seeing the enterprise as beyond the reach of a Ghanaian entrepreneur, the experience convinced him that he could build a similar facility.
The Managing Director of Dzata Cement, Nafisa Mahama, said the fifth anniversary was an opportunity to express gratitude to customers whose confidence had helped the company reach the milestone. She thanked distributors, describing them as an essential part of the company's journey, and acknowledged the support of suppliers, GCB Bank, the government, state institutions, and the Chamber of Cement Producers.
Dzata Cement is expected to produce its 30 millionth bag of cement within days, providing a significant production milestone in its five years of operations. The company currently has a capacity of about 80,000 bags a day, equivalent to approximately two million tonnes annually, using technology from German equipment developer, Haver & Boecker.
Key points
- Ibrahim Mahama urges the state to support local entrepreneurs to grow and sustain businesses beyond their founders.
- Dzata Cement, founded by Ibrahim Mahama, marks five years of operations as a wholly Ghanaian-owned cement manufacturing company.
- The company's Managing Director, Nafisa Mahama, thanks customers, distributors, and suppliers for their support in reaching the milestone.
