The Chief Executive Officer and Sole Shareholder of Dzata Cement Limited, Ibrahim Mahama, has emphasised the importance of succession planning and giving younger people the opportunity to lead businesses.

Speaking at the fifth anniversary celebration of Dzata Cement, Mr Mahama said he had deliberately stepped back from the company's day-to-day management to allow younger leaders to take responsibility and develop their managerial skills.

He said the decision formed part of a broader philosophy across his businesses to gradually transfer responsibilities to the next generation.

“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 explained that his approach involves working alongside younger members of the family before gradually handing over greater responsibilities as they gain experience.
“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 said the strategy was intended to ensure that businesses could survive beyond their founders and continue to grow under new leadership.

Reflecting on the establishment of Dzata Cement, Mr Mahama also recalled a conversation with a former Ghacem boss, Morten, who he said had expressed doubts that a Ghanaian could build a cement manufacturing plant.

Mr Mahama said he rejected that view and remained determined to prove that Ghanaian entrepreneurs could succeed in the industry.

“I said, Morten, you’re lying. I pray you live and see this plant being built,” he recalled.

Five years after Dzata Cement began operations, Mr Mahama used the company's anniversary to reflect not only on its challenges and growth but also on the importance of creating opportunities for younger leaders to take charge of Ghanaian-owned enterprises.


Story by: Andre Mustapha Nii Okai Inusah
Popularly Known As: Attractive Mustapha
Email: attractivemustapha@gmail.com
Contact Number 0244259564