MONROVIA, Montserrado—On April 18, President Joseph Boakai named Mohammed Maladho Bah the Presidential Special Envoy on Investment.
The appointment ignited a storm of public criticism, with many labeling Bah as a criminal and unfit for the position. One staunch supporter of Boakai, Martin K. N Kollie, sharply opposed the decision, branding the president’s choice as a con artist.
But the president’s special envoy has denied all these claims, explaining his journey from being a street seller to a local car dealer, and general manager of Zircom Industrial Engineering before getting the latest preferment in government.
In conversation with The Bush Chicken, he explained that 11 years before his birth, his father was a personal tailor to President Willian R. Tolbert. He, however, was born during the Civil War of 1989, nine years after President Tolbert’s assassination, which interrupted his father’s relative wealth.
Like many kids after the Civil War, he said his parents lost their home and were forced to restart their lives living in a teashop.
He explained that, with his determination to excel amid the limited resources and opportunities, he opted to start his own business at the age of 14. Bah became a street peddler, selling candy in Monrovia. Although he was still a child, he said it felt compelling to do so, as the Muslim tradition places more weight on the first boy to succeed.
“I had to move out to start something for myself. It was risky but as the first boy child, I had to do it because I felt the pressure,” he said.
“We were squeezed into a small place, and I thought to help, even though I was still a child.”
Despite the many challenges, he remained committed to his goal as he raised money from selling on the streets to complete his secondary education.
“The business helped me. As I was selling, I was managing the profits and buying more goods to sell. It worked out for me because it helped me to complete my secondary education,” he added.
Amidst these challenges, he did not lose sight of his childhood dream to travel around the world. Like many of his African peers today, he didn’t realize the danger of using the Mediterranean Sea to travel to Europe.
Immediately following his graduation from school, he embarked on a journey to North Africa and Europe but had to return home as the challenges became unbearable.
“When I arrived, everything looked dangerous. I couldn’t stay there. It was dangerous to cross the sea to Europe. People were doing it daily, but I was afraid to make a try, and I was also afraid to stay there illegally. The only option I had was to return home,” he noted.
He returned home with nothing, and his dream of becoming a wealthy businessman with travel experiences seemed to have gone down the drain.
His turning point was taking a risk in convincing a friend that he’d get a car for purchase even though he had none to sell: “I didn’t have a car to sell but I told him I’d get him one to buy.”
He explained, “Without knowing anyone, I walked through the streets of Monrovia to talk with car dealers in the different used-car garages. I found a car for a reasonable price and took my friend there. He bought the car, and it was good.”
From that deal, he earned US$500 and was recommended to negotiate another car deal, earning for himself an additional US$500. It was through this and subsequent deals that he raised money to open a dealership, which he operated until 2020, when he moved to rock crushing plant business. Later, he started purchasing and renting heavy-duty construction and earthmoving machines.
“I was happy with the progress, but I wasn’t complacent because I always wanted different challenges. While working as a car dealer, I was working on other business plans. After four successful years, it was time to move on to a new adventure,” he noted.
Driven by his entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering determination, Boakai’s presidential envoy on investment took another challenge with Zircom Industrial Engineering, which won the bid for the light installation on 72nd Boulevard Road in 2022.
The business dream turned into a reality and got even bigger in 2024 following his appointment by President Boakai.
When asked about the task ahead, Bah told The Bush Chicken that he was aware of the challenges but was prepared to make an impact.
“It’s a huge task, but I’m ready for it. I came from nothing to be where I am, and I understand what the responsibilities are,” he noted. “I was born with this [business mindset] and I am prepared for it. I’ve experienced a lot and my experience in business will help me drive through. I understand the challenges and I am ready to make an impact.”.
Featured photo courtesy of Mohammed Bah’s Facebook page
