President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to building a more inclusive and competitive Ghana private sector, warning that political victimisation continues to undermine business confidence, investment and long-term economic growth.
Speaking at the Kwahu Business Forum under the theme “The Future of Business: The Role of the Financial Sector,” the President said his administration would not allow partisan considerations to determine which businesses succeed or fail.
“I don’t have political colours when I look at the Ghanaian private sector,” he said, stressing that competence, capacity and performance, not political affiliation must guide economic opportunity.
Political labels hurting business confidence
President Mahama acknowledged that Ghana’s democratic transitions have too often created uncertainty for businesses perceived to be aligned with previous governments.
According to him, that pattern has discouraged investment and weakened the foundations of private enterprise.
He said companies should not be denied opportunities simply because of assumptions about their political leanings.
“Don’t they have the capacity to do the job?” he asked, in reference to firms often sidelined during changes in government.
The President argued that if a company has the equipment, technical know-how and workforce to deliver a project, it should be given a fair chance to compete.
Mahama said his focus remains on delivering outcomes that benefit citizens rather than rewarding political loyalty. In his view, the true test of governance is not who wins a contract, but whether national projects are completed efficiently and to standard.
“It is not about who does the project. The credit is that at the end of my term of office, I was able to repair all those roads.” - President John Dramani Mahama
He added that businesses contribute to the economy by employing Ghanaians, paying taxes and supporting supply chains, making it counterproductive to exclude them on partisan grounds.
Call for business resilience and fair regulation
Beyond politics, the President urged local firms to reduce overdependence on government contracts, warning that such reliance leaves them vulnerable during political transitions.
“We must not all rely on government supplies,” he cautioned, encouraging businesses to diversify and pursue more sustainable growth strategies.
He also called for a fairer regulatory environment that guarantees equal access to opportunity.
“We must create an environment where the regulation is fair, everybody has the same opportunity, and everybody is able to get a good return on their investment.” - President John Dramani Mahama
Mahama said a stronger, more independent private sector will be critical to Ghana’s economic transformation, job creation and long-term resilience.
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