Chief Executive Officer for Engineers and Planners and Dzata Cement, Ibrahim Mahama says students have a critical role to play in moving the country to the next level.

According to him, students can develop solutions to the challenges that have bedevilled the country, adding that it is how entrepreneurs are built.

In a speech delivered to students of the University of Ghana School of Allied Health on Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy, the brother of the former President underscored the importance of thinking global even in managing things locally.

"There are many entrepreneurs all over Ghana and even globally. But how many of them have you heard of? I will not bother you by asking what you have heard or know of them but for certain, those you have heard of did something unique.

"They found solutions to mankind’s everyday problems. This is the kind of mindset you should have and solutions to financial expectations you may be looking up to."

Mr. Mahama spoke about his aspiration to set up a wholly-owned Ghanaian cement company after identifying substandard products on the market.

"In the past, news of collapsed buildings was a regular feature in the media as a result of the usage of substandard materials for buildings. What do you think an entrepreneur will do? He/she after studying and understanding the cause will then come up with a solution and mainstream on when properly commercialising brings forth the financial fortunes.

"The birth of Dzata Cement hinges on solutions to protect and add value to the construction sector. In the world of entrepreneurship, financial gains will come after the people buy into your solutions or services."

Mr. Mahama urged the students who want to be successful entrepreneurs to, first of all, be innovative, commercialise their innovations and be financially literate.

He also advocated partnerships.

"Learn to avoid 'I want to do it all by myself' culture, there are times you must rely on friends with
expertise in some fields, learn to collaborate to create value for your ideas. In all of these do not limit your target market or audience to people within your community or country, the world's population should be your target market to reach, work hard at it, consult more and the financial reward will naturally follow suit."

The Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy Summit was organized by the University of Ghana School of Allied Health Students Association in partnership of Kwabena Asante, founder of Probity Leadership Council (PLC), Financial Secretary Gideon Frederick Owusu and his Deputy Muntaka Mohammed as part of a week long celebration.

Other speakers at the Summit were; Data Bank CEO Kojo Addae-Mensah, Business Mogul Nana Kwame Bediako popularly known as Cheddar, NHIA CEO Bernard Okoe Boye, Dean of University of Ghana Business School Prof. Nyigmah Bawole.