The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa has conferred an honorary doctorate on Ghanaian businessman Ibrahim Mahama, in recognition of his contributions to the mining industry and his philanthropic impact on society.
Mr Mahama, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Engineers and Planners Company Limited (E&P), received the honour during the university’s 18th Special Congregation Ceremony, which brought together leading figures from academia, government and industry.
The ceremony was attended by President John Dramani Mahama, who is Ibrahim Mahama’s brother, and former President John Agyekum Kufuor, the Chancellor of UMaT.
Explaining the basis for the award, UMaT Vice-Chancellor Prof Richard Kwasi Amankwah said Mr Mahama and his firm have introduced innovation and modern technology into Ghana’s mining and mine-support services, leading to expanded local participation and job creation.
He noted that Engineers and Planners has played a major role in strengthening indigenous capacity within the extractive sector.
Both President Mahama and former President Kufuor congratulated the awardee for what they described as distinguished service to the mining industry and national development.
In his response, Ibrahim Mahama thanked the university for the recognition and pledged to return to UMaT to share his experiences with students and young entrepreneurs.
Born on January 29, 1971, in Tamale in the Northern Region, Ibrahim Mahama attended Tamale Senior High School before continuing his education at the College of North West London in the United Kingdom. He later returned home to pursue business ventures.
In 1997, he founded Engineers & Planners as a heavy equipment rental and civil engineering firm.
Over the years, it has evolved into one of West Africa’s largest indigenous-owned mining and construction companies, executing major contracts in Ghana and across the sub-region, including operations at the Tarkwa and Damang mines.
Beyond contract mining, E&P has expanded into mine ownership, with interests in strategic gold concessions such as the Black Volta and Sankofa Gold Projects, deepening Ghanaian participation in the mining value chain.
Mr Mahama has also diversified into other sectors, including cement production through Dzata Cement Limited, poultry farming at Asutsuare Poultry Farms, and heavy-duty vehicle distribution via Man Bosch Ghana Limited.
His business leadership has attracted several honours, including African Industrialist of the Year at the African Achievers’ Awards in London and Mining and Engineering CEO of the Year in Ghana.
He is equally noted for his social impact initiatives, including co-founding the Joyce Tamakloe Cancer Foundation, which supports cancer awareness and health outreach programmes nationwide.
