Founder and Executive Chairman of the McDan Group of Companies, Dr. Daniel McKorley, has urged young entrepreneurs to embrace discipline, determination, and national ownership as Ghana advances its 24-hour economy agenda.
Speaking at the Business School Week of Wisconsin International University College, Ghana, he described the McDan brand as “a street brand” built from humble beginnings, saying it represents “a brand of hope” for young Ghanaians seeking to build businesses from modest starting points.
Sharing his personal journey from working as a messenger and driver’s mate to leading a diversified group of companies, he said wealth creation is driven largely by “attitude,” supported by skill and knowledge. He encouraged students to cultivate discipline and resilience, noting that mindset plays a decisive role in long-term success.
On large-scale investment, he referenced his involvement in the Ada salt concession, describing it as “the biggest salt mine in Africa” and recalling that many had deemed the project “impossible.” Persistence and long-term commitment, he said, were critical in transforming the venture into a viable operation after decades of failed attempts by others.
Connecting his experience to the 24-hour economy policy, he noted that round-the-clock productivity is not new to him, recalling how he handled imports by day and exports at night during his early years in shipping. Building a competitive economy, he stressed, requires “determination” and “discipline,” alongside consistent execution.
He also disclosed that his company has acquired two vessels to strengthen regional trade and logistics, aligning with efforts to improve cargo movement within West Africa. He observed that inefficiencies sometimes force goods moving between African countries to transit through Europe, describing this as a structural gap that must be addressed.
The business leader further encouraged Ghanaian entrepreneurs to take greater ownership of key sectors, arguing that industries such as manufacturing and logistics require stronger local participation. Ghana, he said, must nurture “giants” and “billionaires of our own territory” capable of managing domestic resources and competing globally.
Addressing students directly, he urged them to focus on solving problems rather than chasing titles, adding that institutions must uphold “moral and ethical standards” to produce responsible business leaders.
He concluded by calling for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to make the 24-hour economy sustainable, emphasizing that disciplined execution and local enterprise will determine its long-term success.
