UMaT confers honorary doctorate on Ibrahim Mahama

The University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa (UMaT) has conferred an honorary Doctorate on Ghanaian businessman and philanthropist Ibrahim Mahama.

The conferment was in recognition of his contributions to mining, the construction industry, indigenous enterprise development and national service.

The university’s 18th Special Congregation, which awarded the honorary degree at the weekend, was attended by the brother of the celebrant, President John Dramani Mahama, who was the special guest of honour; business executives, faculty members, students, friends and loved ones.

Speaking after receiving the honour, Dr Mahama (H.C) expressed gratitude, describing the honour as a recognition of what determination, discipline and opportunity could achieve outside traditional academic pathways.

Ibrahim Mahama Institute

In honour of his contributions, UMaT has established the Ibrahim Mahama Institute for Sustainable Processing of Precious, Critical and Green Minerals for the promotion of sustainable mining practices, environmental stewardship and the development of the country’s mineral and green economy sectors.

Dr Mahama said the honorary doctorate was not merely a personal honour, but “a recognition of what is possible when determination meets opportunity, when vision is pursued with unwavering discipline and when success is shared with those who need it most.”

He praised the university for its impact on the country’s mining sector, saying: “UMaT has long been a beacon of excellence in mining education, producing the majority of the men and women who manage mines not only in Ghana but across Africa.”

AI Robotics

Dr Mahama commended UmaT for its proactiveness in establishing its AI Robotics Centre, in collaboration with the Ghana Chamber of Mines, as a strategic investment for an AI-driven future.

He said artificial intelligence (AI) was both a challenge and an opportunity.

“AI presents profound challenges, but it also unlocks extraordinary opportunities, enhancing safety, improving efficiency, and even helping to combat illegal mining,” Dr Mahama pointed out.

Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Dr Mahama recounted founding Engineers & Planners back in 1997, which had grown into the largest wholly Ghanaian-owned mining and construction firm in West Africa.

“What began as a small indigenous company has, through hard work and the dedication of Ghanaians, grown into a business that employs thousands and contributes significantly to national development,” he said.

He also highlighted the Black Volta Gold Project as a landmark achievement and that for the first time, a large-scale gold mining asset in Ghana was 100 per cent owned and controlled by Ghanaians.

“This is a testament that we can lead in capital-intensive industries once dominated by others,” Dr Mahama said, reaffirming his commitment to philanthropy, inspired by his late mother, Joyce Tamakloe.

“True wealth is measured by what we give away, by the lives we touch and the opportunities we create for others,” he noted. 

Embrace discipline

He, therefore, urged young people and graduates to embrace discipline, innovation and integrity.

“Do not let anyone tell you that formal education is the only path to greatness.

Vision, focus and hard work are what turn dreams into reality,” Dr Mahama stated. 

Dr Mahama dedicated the honorary doctorate to Ghanaian workers, partners and communities who have supported his journey.

Congrats

President Mahama congratulated Dr Mahama and praised his entrepreneurial instincts, recalling that his business acumen was evident from childhood.

“Even as children, Ibrahim displayed remarkable entrepreneurial instincts, always thinking of ways to create, build and provide. I, on the other hand, have always been drawn to politics. It is inspiring to see how Ibrahim has turned his early entrepreneurial spark into a force for national development,” the President said.

President Mahama reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening tertiary education, responsible mining and youth empowerment, describing specialised universities as critical drivers of Ghana’s industrial transformation.

Gratitude

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Richard Kwasi Amankwah, expressed the university’s gratitude to the government for continued support in diverse ways, especially its monthly subventions.

He appealed to the President to support UMaT to develop its north campus on a 26km-square land at Samahu, as the current campus was too small for the new UMaT.

“We also want to support the government’s agenda on TVET and STEM education and request the construction of an E-Block facility at the Samahu site to serve as the UMaT STEM

Academy to help the people of the Western Region and, in particular, the Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Prestea-Huni Valley municipalities,” Prof. Amankwa said.

The academy, he said, would significantly broaden educational opportunities for students, foster a new generation of skilled, innovative and STEM-ready youth aligned with Ghana’s sustainable development priorities.

 55 Postgraduates

The Special Congregation presented degrees to 54 other postgraduate students who received degrees in various fields, including six who received Doctor of Philosophy degrees.