The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT),Tarkwa, will on Saturday, 31 January 2026, hold its 18th Special Congregation Ceremony, during which leading Ghanaian businessman and mining contractor, Ibrahim Mahama, will be awarded an honorary doctorate for his outstanding contribution to the mining industry.
Correspondence seen by The Herald said, the ceremony will take place at the University Auditorium in the mining town of Tarkwa in the Western Region.
The special congregation is being organised in honour of Mr Mahama, who is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Engineers & Planners (E&P), in recognition of his excellence, innovation and impact in the business of mining and mine support services.
He is widely regarded as one of the largest indigenous mine contractors operating in Africa and beyond.
President John Dramani Mahama is expected to attend the event as the Special Guest of Honour.
The President is the elder brother of the awardee.
In addition to the conferment of the honorary doctorate, the congregation will also see the graduation of a number of regular students, including postgraduate candidates.
Ibrahim Mahama was born on 29 January 1971 in Tamale, in the Northern Region.
He attended Tamale Senior High School and later studied at the College of North West London in the United Kingdom, before returning to Ghana to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
In 1997, he founded Engineers & Planners, which began as a heavy equipment rental and civil engineering firm.
Over the years, the company has grown into one of the largest indigenous-owned mining and construction firms in West Africa, employing thousands of workers and undertaking major mining contracts in Ghana and the wider sub-region, including operations at the Tarkwa and Damang mines.
Beyond contract mining, E&P has expanded into mine ownership, taking control of strategic gold concessions such as the Black Volta and Sankofa Gold Projects, further strengthening Ghanaian participation in the mining value chain.
Mr Mahama has also diversified into other sectors, including cement manufacturing through Dzata Cement Limited, large-scale poultry production at Asutsuare Poultry Farms, and heavy-duty vehicle distribution through Man Bosch Ghana Limited.
His business leadership has earned him several honours over the years, 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 also known for his philanthropic activities, including the co-founding of the Joyce Tamakloe Cancer Foundation, which supports cancer awareness and health initiatives across the country.
UMaT officials say the award reflects Mr Mahama’s contribution to the advancement of Ghana’s mining industry, job creation and the promotion of local enterprise in sectors traditionally dominated by multinational firms.
