Brother of former President, John Dramani Mahama and Chief Executive Officer of Engineers and Planners, Ibrahim Mahama has debunked rumors that he gained his wealth because of his brother’s political achievements.
According to him, his businesses were already in existence before John Dramani Mahama went into politics.
He argued his success rather saw a nose dive immediately his brother become vice president and subsequently the president.
In 2016, Mr. Mahama was sued for allegedly not paying Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) for his staff, a case that was later settled.
Last year, his company, Exton Cubic Group Limited, also had its equipments seized by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resource, for engaging in some alleged illegal mining activities, a directive that was overruled by an Accra High Court.
Using his life as a lesson, the businessman, who owns a real estate company and Asutsuare Poultry Farm urged the youth to stay away from politicians and the controversies that comes with political affiliation.
“During former president Kufuor’s era, nobody knew me. I was going about my business and doing very well. In fact when I started my business in 1996, my brother wasn’t even a politician. Later, when he became a president, everything started going down for me. That is why I will always advice people to stay away from politics and politicians.
Politicians will say some things behind my back and in the media that I wish they can say directly to me. When later they meet you, they will tell you it is just politics, but it is not. It is destroying people and we must learn to stop that,” he added.
Mr. Ibrahim Mahama was speaking at the 2018 GRASSAG Entrepreneurship Seminar held in Accra, where he also pledged to support some 20 members of the Association with 2,000 dollars each to help them start up their own businesses.