The Executive Chairman of the Dara Salaam Group, Alhaji Yusif Ibrahim, has revealed that he was paid a judgement debt of GH¢6.3m by the Mills administration in 2009. This was as a result of taking the government to court for the demolition of his hotel under the Rawlings administration on April 12, 1999.

A story below, courtesy Ghanaweb, gives more details:

I’VE FORGIVEN RAWLINGS – CHAIRMAN OF DARA SALAAM GROUP

An entrepreneur and Executive Chairman of the Dara Salaam Group, Alhaji Yusif Ibrahim, says he has long forgiven former President Jerry John Rawlings under whose administration his $5 million hotel was demolished.

Speaking about the issue publicly for the first time in nearly 20 years in an interview on the Good Evening Ghana, a television show which was played at the launch of his autobiography, the business magnate stated that he had forgiven the former President for his wrongs against him.

"I’m not angry with Rawlings. I’m never angry with anybody. I know that whatever happens to me is determined by God, or God says it will happen. So I don’t have anything against Rawlings. I’ve no choice but to forgive him; the Quran says we should forgive and forget,” he stated.

Book launch

The entrepreneur launched his 200-page autobiography, entitled "Paradise Is Unpaved", at the Marriott Hotel in Accra last Saturday.

The book chronicles his life's journey and legacy from a humble beginning to the owner of a conglomerate.

It recounts how Alhaji Yusif grew up in an urban slum but by dint of hard work and diligence rose to become a millionaire with multimillion dollar businesses that include real estate and the food sector.

The book also gives an insight into how he strived with nothing from Kumasi Zongo, earning him the nickname, "Zongo Boy," to become a multi-sectoral businessman.

Demolition

On Monday, April 12, 1999, while on a routine early morning walk, Alhaji Ibrahim received the disturbing news that his almost-completed ultramodern hotel, furnished and fitted with air conditioners, television sets, refrigerators, among other valuables, was being razed to the ground by some military men based on the suspicion that Alhaji was in bed with Sir Sam Jonah, considered as an "enemy of the state" at the time.

Alhaji Ibrahim later took the matter to court and was subsequently awarded a GH¢6.13 million judgement debt which was paid by the Prof. J. E. A. Mills administration in 2009.



Persuasion

Alhaji Ibrahim stated that he was persuaded by friends and family to publish the book for posterity.

He added that the book was also to give hope to the teeming youth from the Zongo communities whose background should never be a hindrance to the heights that they could attain.

He stressed that "Paradise is not paved. It is full of potholes but with determination and resolution you can definitely achieve whatever you want.”