Business magnate and philanthropist Daniel McKorley has been honoured as the “Most Influential Entrepreneur of All Time” at the 15th Anniversary and Awards Ceremony of the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana (EFG).

The event took place on Friday, August 1, 2025, at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.

The award celebrates decades of entrepreneurial leadership, innovation, job creation, and national development by Daniel McKorley, the Founder and Executive Chairman of the McDan Group of Companies—a Ghanaian conglomerate with footprints in logistics, aviation, shipping, construction, mining, salt production, agribusiness, and real estate.

He joined a distinguished list of honorees that evening, including:

• Naa Prof. Edmund Nminyem Delle, CHIIR VIII of Rabito Clinic
• Dr. Paul Kofi Fynn, Chancellor of Wisconsin International University College
• Dr. Mrs. Kate Quartey-Papafio, CEO of Reroy Group
• Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong, CEO of Special Group of Companies
• Ms. Esther Cobbah, CEO of Stratcomm Africa
• Mr. David Osei-Amankwah, CEO of David Walter Ghana Ltd., among others

In his acceptance speech, Daniel McKorley thanked Mr. Sam Ato Gaisie, the visionary founder of EFG, for consistently championing Ghanaian entrepreneurship.

He reflected on his journey and the obstacles many entrepreneurs still face.

“I came from very little—but what I had was a dream and a deep belief that Ghana is a land of opportunity,” he said. “Yes, it’s tough. But I’m happy to be in Ghana, to work here, and to believe that the future I hold for this country will surely be fulfilled.”

He encouraged fellow entrepreneurs and young Ghanaians to be bold, resilient, and hopeful, saying, “If you want it, fight for it. Ghana is waiting for you to rise.”

A lighter moment during the event drew smiles and applause when Dr. McKorley was asked why he stood at the edge of the stage to help his female staff up to join him.

He replied, “I’m a romantic man—and my disposition has always been to serve.”

Daniel McKorley is the first Ghanaian to own and operate a private jet terminal and oversees Africa’s largest salt mine.

Under his leadership, the McDan Group has established a presence in over 2,400 ports globally.

He holds a Diploma in Leadership from Lehigh University, a BSc and Executive MBA from GIMPA, and an honorary Doctorate from the London Business School.

He is also the founder of the McDan Foundation, which champions education, sports, and youth entrepreneurship.

Through initiatives like McDan Youth Connect and the McDan Entrepreneurship Challenge, he continues to empower a new generation of African entrepreneurs.

Ghanaian business magnate Dr. Daniel Mckorley (McDan) has admonished young graduates to pursue self-employment for survival, innovation, and job creation in Africa.

He emphasised that Africa’s stagnant markets and outdated systems could be improved and developed with enough local talent who pursue problem-solving innovations.

Speaking at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Business School 20th Anniversary alumni homecoming, McDan urged investment in capital, education, and vision to ensure a thriving environment for resilient entrepreneurs.

The alumni homecoming as part of the Business School’s 20th Anniversary saw an assembly of old students, university leadership and current students to celebrate the journey of academic and professional excellence of the school.

Addressing the members of academia, industry leaders, traditional rulers, and students, a leading entity in logistics, aviation (McDan Aviation), port operations (McDan Ports), salt mining, and agro-processing, alumnus Dr. Daniel Mckorley, emphasised the power of entrepreneurship in Africa.

“The power of entrepreneurship in Africa is not simply about starting a business. In Africa, it is about survival, innovation, and transformation. It is the entrepreneur who identifies opportunity where others see scarcity. It is the entrepreneur who creates jobs when the formal sector cannot. It is the entrepreneur who challenges outdated systems, introduces new technologies, and disrupts stagnant
markets,” he said.

He was addressing the theme: “Entrepreneurship as a Catalyst for Capability and Resilience in Africa’s Business Ecosystem”.

He stressed that entrepreneurship has the potential to build a resilient new Africa.

“This is not just an academic theme; it is a lived reality for me and for countless African entrepreneurs who wake up every day not just to do business but to build nations. Resilience is not built in comfort. It is built through challenges, setbacks, and recoveries. As we face global economic uncertainties, climate change, and rapid technological shifts, it will be entrepreneurship that keeps our economies afloat,” he said.

The McDan Group spans aviation, logistics, salt production, real estate, and agribusiness.

McDan entreated young people and aspiring businesses to value impact and people over profit-making as a way to address the social and economic gaps in Africa.

He also underlined the need for a supportive ecosystem where young people with brilliant ideas can thrive.

“But our greatest achievement is not our profits; it is our people, our impact, and our example to the next
generation. Africa does not suffer from a lack of entrepreneurs. What we lack is a supportive ecosystem.

Too many young people with brilliant ideas are crushed by bureaucracy, lack of funding, or absence of mentorship.

“To make entrepreneurship a real catalyst for development, we must build ecosystems that are: Inclusive, giving women and marginalised groups equal access. Resource-rich with funding, training, and infrastructure. Policy-driven with governments that enable, not disable, business. Digitally empowered, so African entrepreneurs can compete globally,” he said.

Source : Joy Online

The Overlord of the Ga State, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse, has publicly lauded the exceptional resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of Ghanaian business mogul Daniel McKorley, Executive Chairman of the McDan Group.

the King delivered the endorsement during his keynote address at the grand 20th Anniversary celebrations of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) School of Business in Kumasi on Monday.

Speaking to a distinguished audience comprising academia, industry leaders, traditional rulers, and students, the Ga Mantse highlighted McDan’s journey as a quintessential example of the tenacity required to thrive in Ghana’s dynamic, and often challenging, business landscape.

“Today, as we celebrate two decades of excellence in business education here at KNUST, we must look to the living examples that embody the very principles we teach,” stated the Ga Mantse. “In the story of McDan, we see the spirit of unwavering resilience. We see a Ghanaian who has faced storms, navigated complexities, and emerged stronger, building an empire that spans continents and industries.”

The King emphasized that McDan’s success – from its roots in logistics and shipping to its significant expansions into aviation (McDan Aviation), ports operations (McDan Ports), salt mining, and agro-processing – was not merely a result of opportunity, but of relentless perseverance and strategic adaptation.

“Resilience is not just about surviving hardship; it is about learning, innovating, and finding opportunity where others see obstacles. Dr. McKorley and the McDan Group exemplify this,” the Ga Mantse continued. “His ability to pivot, to invest boldly in Ghana even during uncertain times, and to create thousands of jobs for our youth, is a testament to a deeply rooted Ghanaian entrepreneurial spirit that we must all celebrate and emulate.”

The Ga Mantse connected McDan’s achievements directly to the mission of institutions like the KNUST School of Business. He urged the graduating students and future business leaders present to draw inspiration from such homegrown success stories, emphasizing the importance of integrity, local knowledge, and an unyielding commitment to national development alongside profit.

The recognition from one of Ghana’s most revered traditional leaders underscores McDan’s significant contribution to the nation’s economy and its status as a flagship Ghanaian multinational. Dr. McKorley, who was present at the event, received a standing ovation following the Ga Mantse’s remarks.

Dr Daniel McKorley, popularly known as McDan, has been named Salt Mining CEO of the Year, a recognition that underscores his pivotal role in revitalising Ghana’s salt industry and contributing to the country’s broader industrialisation agenda.

As Executive Chairman of Electrochem Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of the McDan Group, Dr. McKorley has spearheaded the transformation of the once underutilised Songor Lagoon into Africa’s largest salt production facility.

Under his leadership, Electrochem Ghana now produces 650,000 metric tons of salt annually, with plans to scale up to one million metric tons by 2024 and two million metric tons by 2027.

The facility produces salt at a 99.99% purity level, aligning with international standards and positioning Ghana as a competitive force in the global salt market.

Beyond industrial success, Dr. McKorley has demonstrated a strong commitment to community development. Electrochem Ghana has created over 3,000 local jobs, with projections to increase that number to 7,000 as operations expand.

The company has also invested in local infrastructure, including roads, health clinics, schools, and a GH¢3 million interest-free loan scheme to support small businesses in the area.

Despite facing political opposition and other challenges, Dr. McKorley’s visionary leadership and resilience have been instrumental in reshaping the salt industry and showcasing the potential of indigenous entrepreneurship in driving sustainable national development.

His recognition as Salt Mining CEO of the Year not only honours his personal achievements but also reflects the transformative power of homegrown business leadership in unlocking Ghana’s industrial potential.

Source : MyJoyOnline

The Group Chairman of McDan Group, Dr Daniel McKorley, has reaffirmed both his and the company’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s economic growth and development, particularly through dedicated efforts in the salt industry.

Expressing his profound gratitude after being named Salt Mining CEO of the Year at the 9th Ghana CEO Summit on Monday, May 26, 2025, Dr McKorley stated that the award serves as a reminder of the company’s journey and reflects the strong relationship it has built with its partners since securing its first concession.

Expressing his profound gratitude after being named Salt Mining CEO of the Year at the 9th Ghana CEO Summit on Monday, May 26, 2025, Dr McKorley stated that the award serves as a reminder of the company’s journey and reflects the strong relationship it has built with its partners since securing its first concession.

“Very humbled to be named the Salt Mining CEO of the Year at this year’s #GhanaCEOSummit, an award that highlights the experts who have made significant strides and contributions to the growth and development of the salt industry and market in Ghana.

“For me, this award recognises not just our excellent performance ever since we took over the concession and our longstanding relationship with our partners, but also the commitment of our staff, especially the field workers. Their hard work ensures we remain at the top of our game, leading the way with consistency, trustworthiness and sustainability,” he wrote on Facebook on May 26, 2025.

Dr McKorley added, “But even more so, this award is for our clients. I remember when we were getting started and how distant it seemed that we could someday be able to work with clients of the caliber we now have. This award is for you too, because together, we have achieved incredible milestones in under 5 years.”

The award was presented to him by President John Dramani Mahama at an event that brought together some of Ghana’s top CEOs and business leaders.

Source : GhanaWeb

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