President John Dramani Mahama has opened up about the early life and entrepreneurial journey of his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, describing how a childhood curiosity for machines eventually helped reshape Ghana’s mining and engineering landscape.
Addressing a congregation at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), President Mahama said Ibrahim’s story began during a difficult chapter in their family’s life, when their father was forced into political exile. To protect some of the younger children and keep them focused on their education, the family arranged for Ibrahim and other siblings to continue their studies in England.
According to the President, Ibrahim’s interest in engineering was obvious from an early age. He recalled how his brother constantly dismantled gadgets and mechanical objects, not out of mischief, but out of curiosity to understand how they worked. That curiosity later expanded into a strong passion for heavy machinery, vehicles and industrial equipment.
While in England, Ibrahim continued exploring his interest in engineering and entrepreneurship. It was there that he encountered a contractor, believed to be Irish, who was struggling financially. Rather than walking away, Ibrahim proposed a partnership that would combine their skills and resources. The plan was simple but bold: acquire a small number of bulldozers and excavators and relocate operations to Ghana.
That decision led to the creation of Engineers and Planners, a company that would go on to become Ghana’s first indigenous mining firm.
President Mahama noted that success did not come easily. At the time, the mining sector was dominated by foreign companies, with Ghanaian-owned firms largely excluded from main contracts and restricted to minor subcontracting roles. Despite these barriers, Engineers and Planners secured work with African Mining Services and quickly earned a reputation for efficiency, reliability and quality delivery.
As confidence in the company grew, larger contracts followed. Over time, Ibrahim Mahama’s achievements helped change perceptions within the industry and opened doors for other Ghanaian-owned companies to compete directly in the mining sector.
President Mahama said the story reflects the resilience and innovation of Ghanaians and serves as a reminder that local talent can thrive, even in industries historically controlled by foreign interests, when given the chance.
