Kumasi: President John Dramani Mahama has shared a personal story of how his brother Ibrahim, one of Ghana's early indigenous mining entrepreneurs, rose from humble beginnings to help break barriers in the country's mining and engineering sector. Speaking during a congregation at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), President Mahama recalled that during a period when their father was in political exile, some of his younger siblings, including Ibrahim, were sent to England to further their education and to shield them from political persecution back home.
According to Ghana Web, Ibrahim Mahama displayed an early fascination with machines and engineering, often dismantling objects to understand their workings. This curiosity evolved into a deep interest in aircraft, motorcycles, automobiles, and heavy industrial equipment. While in England, Ibrahim nurtured his passion for engineering and met an Irish contractor who was bankrupt. Seizing the opportunity, Ibrahim proposed they pool their expertise, form a company, and take a few bulldozers and excavators to Ghana, leading to the formation of Engineers and Planners.
The partnership resulted in the establishment of Ghana's first indigenous mining company. However, the journey was challenging. President Mahama explained that Ghanaian-owned firms were not allowed to operate as main contractors for large mining companies, with major contracts controlled by expatriate firms. Indigenous companies like Ibrahim's were limited to subcontracting roles.
Despite these challenges, Ibrahim's company secured subcontracting work with African Mining Services (AMS) and quickly gained a reputation for delivering quality work on schedule and within budget. As trust in the company's capabilities grew, the scale of the projects awarded to it increased. Over time, Ibrahim's success paved the way for other Ghanaian-owned companies to be recognized and entrusted with direct contracts in the mining sector.
President Mahama emphasized that Ibrahim's story reflects the resilience, innovation, and determination of Ghanaians, particularly in industries long dominated by foreign firms. He added, "It is stories like these that remind us of what is possible when talent is given the opportunity to grow."