Businessman Ibrahim Mahama has recounted the challenges and support that enabled him to establish Dzata Cement Limited, saying the company’s journey from an idea to a fully operational cement manufacturer was marked by perseverance, financial difficulties and support from key stakeholders.
Speaking at the 5th anniversary celebration of Dzata Cement on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Mr Mahama said his interest in cement manufacturing began when he was working as a cement transporter while also serving as a mining contractor for mining companies in Tarkwa.
He said he transported cement from Takoradi to Tarkwa and became curious about how cement was manufactured.
“A few years ago, I was a transporter, a cement transporter while I was a mining contractor for the mining companies in Tarkwa. I used to transport cement from Takoradi to Tarkwa and I thought about it and one day said, let me go and see how cement is being manufactured,” he said.
According to him, he subsequently followed his trucks to a cement manufacturing facility in Takoradi, where he observed the production structure and concluded that establishing a cement plant was achievable.
“I noticed that to build a cement plant wasn’t a difficult thing because my father-in-law had tried to do it for years and he had been complaining how it was so difficult. So I looked at a structure and said, look, I could build one,” he said.
Mr Mahama said his plans gained momentum after he acquired MBG, a diesel business, where he met an employee, Gunter, who encouraged him to pursue the project.
He said he subsequently travelled to Germany and engaged a company, Haber & Becker, which provided him with a design and structure for the proposed plant.
“I saw it, came to the banks, convinced them. Fortunately, this land was free then,” he said.
Mr Mahama said he deliberately targeted the location because of its proximity to Dangote Cement, describing the establishment of a local cement manufacturing facility in the area as an opportunity to demonstrate that Ghanaian businesses could undertake major industrial projects.
He said the construction process was, however, far from easy, as he spent considerable time at the site supervising the installation of equipment and construction of the plant.
“We came in here day and night. I spent all my life on here. Equipment came, started putting them together, built the foundation and unfortunately for me, I gave up,” he recounted.
He credited his younger brother, who was absent from the anniversary celebration, for encouraging him not to abandon the project.
Mr Mahama also acknowledged the contribution of Abder, who he said assessed the project and concluded that most of the necessary equipment had already been acquired and that what was required was funding for installation.
He said the company subsequently worked to install and test the equipment before commencing operations.
According to him, Dzata Cement initially had to purchase cement from an established producer, repackage it and use it to test its operations before commencing its own activities.
He also expressed appreciation to several distributors who supported the company during its difficult early years.
Mr Mahama said there was a point when the company had imported cement but lacked the funds to clear it, prompting its distributors to intervene and provide the necessary support.
“At some point we ordered cement and we didn’t even have money to clear it,” he said, adding that the distributors “all came together and said, look, we’ll support you.”
He said the support enabled the company to receive the cement, distribute it through its network and begin building the Dzata Cement brand.
Mr Mahama also commended the media for its role in supporting the company’s development and specifically acknowledged the former administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for what he described as significant support for the company.
He singled out former Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, for particular recognition.
“One key person I need to also thank, and the media, I want you to pick it up, is Nana Addo’s government who really stood behind us. It was the Minister of Trade, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen,” he said.
The fifth anniversary celebration brought together staff, business partners, distributors and other stakeholders to mark Dzata Cement’s growth and reflect on the company’s journey since its establishment.
