My Plant Diary

The day began on a disturbing note. Before sunrise, around 4:00 AM, two of our workmen were injured while trying to remove cyclone jamming. Fortunately, the injuries weren’t critical, but our medical team - thankfully alert - took no chances. One of them was referred to the hospital in Lomé for further observation. The news jolted me. I reached the plant earlier than usual, choosing to walk the stretch from the main road to the gate. That walk helped me gather my thoughts. As I entered, I made my way directly to the dispensary to check on the injured workman and his family. I asked our Admin team to ensure their complete comfort - food, tea, proper care. At such moments, reassurance matters more than anything else. But let’s face it - this was bound to happen. In the recent days, I often joked, “Just keep the plant running safely until I leave.” But the joke had weight beneath it. Our structures are frail, operations often careless, and risk lies around every unchecked bolt and ever...

The plant still runs, but I’ve begun stepping away from the daily grind. Not out of indifference, but with quiet acceptance that my time here is nearing its end. It’s Thursday today. Saturday will be my last working day at WACEM. There's a different kind of rhythm now - a slower, more reflective one. I'm still updating the DPR sheet , and I’ll continue doing that till the last day. That’s part of my discipline. Morning Thoughts and Meetings In today’s HOD meeting , I emphasized something that should be part of everyone’s core responsibilities: Clean your machines, clean your area - and paint them too. It’s not just cosmetic. Clean equipment runs better. Painted equipment is respected.  A plant that looks good, feels good to work in. But I’m no longer deeply involved in follow-ups or firefighting. The detachment is conscious and calm. I’ve never believed in calling people to the office for fruitless discussions or ego-centered monologues . It’s never been my nature -...

There’s something reassuring when the rhythm returns -  Today began like it used to. With purpose, with momentum, with that faint trace of energy I feared had faded. Morning was sharp and steady. Brief plant reflections , some clicks of the premises , and while walking the familiar paths, I picked up scattered plastic waste - my small habit, my way of leaving the place better than I found it. The morning meeting was precise, just as it should be. Today, during the HOD meeting, I emphasized the need to be creative -  to do something new, something bold, something useful . I gave an example: Why not fabricate a high-volume, low-RPM fan impeller? We already have the workshop space, the machines, the manpower . What we often lack is the mindset - to initiate, to innovate, to believe . When we create something with our own hands, from scratch, it doesn’t just serve a technical need - it uplifts our spirit . There’s a different kind of satisfaction in knowing, "This wasn...

 I’m a human. And  today, I truly felt it. This wasn’t about physical exhaustion. It wasn’t the rains. It wasn’t the usual workplace fatigue. It was something deeper...  an emotional stillness , almost like a dull silence inside. For the  first time in my life , I didn’t feel that inner  push  to come to the plant. Usually, I’m the kind of person who  beats the siren , who walks into the premises 10-15 minutes early, who catches the stillness of the morning before the world wakes up. But today, I reached  just  as the siren rang. Post-lunch, I was late. And I knew why - I wasn’t dragging my feet; my  spirit had slowed down . The  morning prayer  was brief. No elaboration, no talk - just the ritual. The  HOD meeting  was even shorter. And the  DPM (Daily Production Meeting) ? Cancelled. Why? Because both the  Mechanical and Process HODs were away , off to Lome for general and personal purchases. The plants ar...

Yesterday was Whit Sunday , and today, being Whit Monday , was a public holiday too. But for me, the concept of "holiday" rarely means a pause. Today wasn’t an exception. While the town might have been slow and sleepy, the plant had its own rhythm to maintain - and so did I. The morning meeting had a sparse attendance. Mr. Edoh and Mr. Mensah were missing , so the usual ceremonial flow of prayer and translation seemed to have lost its pace. But what could possibly stop me? I stood up, took a deep breath, and sang “Itni Shakti Hamen Dena Daata...” in full voice. Two minutes and fifteen seconds of complete surrender, echoing through the room like a call to awaken not just the body, but the spirit. This prayer has been my lifelong companion - through difficult shutdowns, long journeys, and moments of silence. And today, it wasn’t just a melody; it was a message -  to myself and to those present: Even when the system slows down, the soul must sing louder. After the prayer...

The morning wore a soft grey veil. Clouds hung low , as if listening in silence, just above the horizon. A perfect backdrop to set the tone - not heavy, but reflective. We began the day the way I like best: with a morning prayer , followed by a safety talk and HOD meeting . There’s something immensely grounding in these gatherings. People standing together, minds aligning, energy syncing. After the prayer, I felt compelled to speak - not as a manager, but as someone who’s learned through burns, bruises, and battles. I spoke about three fundamental pillars -  principles I believe are not just rules for work, but for life: The 5 Cardinal Rules of Safety : Treat them as a daily checklist -  for yourself, your team, and the plant. Simple. Life-saving. C.I.L.T. (Cleaning, Inspection, Lubrication, Tightening) : I reminded everyone that once the machines start running, our human instinct is to relax. But that’s exactly when we must be more alert. Keep C.I.L.T. alive. The P...