Candies, Clay, and Closing Loops | Diary Entry - 11th June 2025
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’t bought. This was built. Right here, by us."
This isn’t just mechanical work -
It’s mental stimulation, it’s team-building,
It’s transforming ‘routine maintenance’ into meaningful engineering.
Why shouldn’t we feel good about it?
Why shouldn't we take pride in our capabilities?
And I reminded everyone - this isn’t for one person, or one department.
This is for all of us.
When one team takes initiative, others are inspired.
That’s how a culture of kaizen and innovation begins.
Let’s stop just fixing things.
Let’s start building things - mentally, emotionally, and physically.
One particular visit stood out today -
I went over to our adjacent grinding unit.
The top cover of the main gearbox of the cement mill had been opened. A damaged bearing cage was found - good catch at an early stage.
I must say, that kind of proactive detection is rare but essential.
Luckily, the cement silos are full, so dispatches won't suffer even if repairs take some time.
Later, I made a trip to the bank to close my account.
We had to return due to the rush.
Second visit, post-lunch, was successful - but slow beyond belief.
Can you imagine? It took over an hour to withdraw a small amount. That too in 2025.
But then again, this is Togo.
Things move at their own pace here - leisurely, almost unmoved by urgency.
The DPM (Daily Performance Meet) was cancelled again.
There’s just too much happening, and yet not enough energy holding it together.
Plants are running, yes - but they’re limping in many ways, demanding constant attention, like a child that can’t yet stand on its own.
We had a meeting with contractors - this time about the biometric attendance system.
We’ve been talking about this since January, and we’re still at discussion stage.
Implementation? Still pending.
The casualness in this place continues to baffle me.
I mean - twice today, I stepped outside the premises without a gate-pass.
Even our expat colleagues went to the market without any formal exit clearance.
What does this tell us?
That systems exist, yes - but follow-through is missing.
Rules, if not enforced, become habits of neglect.
A welcome change of tone came in the afternoon -
We had a session with Kenyan geologists, here to assess local clay quality for our upcoming LC3 project.
They shared a presentation based on their field visits.
Interestingly, they had also visited CBI Ghana Ltd., the world’s largest calcined clay plant, recently commissioned.
This is promising. The LC3 direction is future-ready, sustainable, and aligns with where the industry needs to move.
Let’s see how far this seed grows.
And then, something very small - but deeply heartwarming.
I’ve been carrying a stash of Kopiko coffee candies.
Not for myself - my teeth have objections, after all.
But lately, I’ve taken to distributing them more often.
People in the plant, guards, helpers... and especially the kids of Tabligbo.
It’s just a tiny candy. But the smiles it brings? Priceless.
There’s a quiet joy in watching someone’s expression soften with a small act of kindness.
That was the day, today.
A bit of old rhythm, a few loose ends, some smiles, and a continued journey of wrapping things up - with grace, not regret.
Key Points - 11th June 2025
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Morning energy returned; short but effective morning and HOD meetings.
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Visited grinding unit; early detection of bearing cage damage in cement mill gearbox.
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Cement silos full; no disruption expected.
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Bank visit for account closure - first attempt failed due to rush, second took over an hour.
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DPM cancelled again.
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Meeting held on biometric attendance, pending since January - still no implementation.
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Laxity observed in gate-pass procedures.
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Presentation by Kenyan geologists on local clay quality for LC3 cement project.
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Shared about their visit to CBI Ghana Ltd., largest calcined clay plant globally.
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Distributed Kopiko candies to staff and children - joy in small gestures.
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Reflective mood continues, wrapping up days meaningfully.
Sometimes, the big changes feel far away.
But small actions - done consistently - are louder than speeches.
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