Dr. Daniel McKorley

Daniel McKorley popularly known as McDan is a Ghanaian business magnate, founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of McDan Group of Companies.

Mckorley was born on June 16, 1978 in Labadi, Accra. He attended his primary school in the same community and further his education at the senior high level. After his High school education, he gained admission to study at the University of Ghana, but dropped out because of financial difficulties hence could not pay his school fees. Mckorley revealed that he dropped out of the University because he could not pay his school fees. Arguably one of the most successful businessmen in Ghana, Daniel McKorley could only attain a degree 15 years, after dropping out of the University of Ghana.

After finally obtaining his bachelor’s degree McKorley went on to obtain a Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA) and a Certificate degree in Entrepreneurship both from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). He also holds diplomas in Leadership and Transport & Logistics.

McKorley started his entrepreneurship journey in November 1999, when he founded McDan Shipping Company with established headquarters in Accra and Branches in Tema and Takoradi. The company has a presence in over 2000 major air and seaports worldwide due to a partnership with Universal Freight Organization, Cross Trades, and World Cargo Alliance(WCA). Also, a company that started with only one employee, today has over 5008 employees. McDan Aviation a subsidy of the McDan Group, has outdoored an ultra-modern private jet terminal on 28 January, 2022. The private jet lounge is the country’s first private jet charter service at the Domestic Wing of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra.

Daniel McKorley never fails to mention that his life’s journey was not an easy one according to him he rose through the ranks from selling kerosene, doughnuts, bookkeeper at a construction site to being a driver’s mate and a pupil-teacher.

Among other things, Daniel McKorley is a business leader with diverse interests in education, youth development, philanthropy, and sports. He is passionate about giving back to society and impacting the next generation of entrepreneurs and hence has set up the McDan foundation under which there is the McDan entrepreneurship challenge to support start-up and small businesses with a funding and mentorship to become sustainable businesses. The winner prize for the challenge is $100,000.

Honors and Awards

Daniel McKorley has gained lots of recognition which includes Freight Forwarding and entrepreneur of the year – 2013, The achiever’s Award by West Africa Regional magazine, Ernst & Young entrepreneur of West Africa Nominee – 2015, The Entrepreneur of the year – 2016 among others. CIMG Marketing Man of the Year 2017 and 2019. Honorary Doctorate Degree from Commonwealth University, London Business School, UK.

Personal Life

McKorley is married and has a total of 10 children.

Philanthropy

McKorley under the McDan group has built a total of 9 schools, 7 in the Northern region of Ghana and 1 in Ada and another one in Lartei. McKorley presented an air-conditioned Benz Bus (Sprinter) to the Ghana Tennis Federation at the McDan Tennis Open West African Championship at the Accra Stadium in May 2017. Daniel McKorley presented an amount of GHC10, 000 to the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) in support of the 2017 SWAG Awards Night at the Banquet Hall of the State House. The McDan foundation feeds over 5000 widows and has enrolled and pays school fees for about 250 pupils.