Protecting private sector entrepreneurs from the excesses of partisan political interference should be a deliberate, concerted and sustained policy to ensure business owners can thrive without fear of being tagged or targeted when there is a change of regime, the Minority Leader, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin has said.
He explained need for the political class in Ghana to de-politicise entrepreneurship: “when we politicise local enterprise, we create an uneven playing field that stifles innovation and discourages risk-taking. When this happens, it is foreign businesses that stand tall and dominate our markets while our indigenous enterprises — unfairly branded or sidelined — are made to struggle. That cannot be the path to sustainable growth persistent political interference in Ghana’s business environment is weakening investor confidence and posing a serious challenge to the country’s economic prospects.”
Afenyo-Markin made the remarks in his address at the opening ceremony of the Second Edition of the Kwahu Business Forum held on April 19, 2025 at Mpraeso in the Eastern Region.
The Minority Leader said local business in Ghana ought to be supported with the requisite capital and favorable environment for growth because the country’s economic prospect is largely dependent on the success of its business community.
“The success of a business should never depend on which political regime is in power, nor should it be stifled by partisan labels. Our role as political leaders is not to frustrate private sector actors, but to foster a fair and enabling environment where merit, innovation, and hard work thrive.
“And as we nurture this culture of enterprise, we must also take a hard look at how we extend opportunity — particularly to the youth. They must not be supported only when they wear our party colours. They must be supported when they demonstrate potential, creativity, and drive. Ghana’s future cannot be built on partisan loyalty; it must be built on merit. Those who deserve opportunity should be given opportunity — regardless of political affiliation. That is how we build a nation that is fair, competitive, and truly progressive”, Afenyo-Markin stated.
The Minority Leader, in his address, proposed the establishment a National Orientation Programme built that will instill a renewed sense of civic responsibility, discipline, hard work, and enterprise in Ghana’s national psyche.
“We must deliberately shape a new Ghanaian mindset — one that values hard work over shortcuts, merit over connections, and contribution over entitlement. The public sector is already choked, and the jobs of the future will be created in the private sector. This is the mindset people need to have. Such a programme, especially if targeted at the youth, could play a transformative role in reshaping national attitudes and helping us build a country where excellence is expected, rewarded, and sustained”, Afenyo-Markin explained the renewed mindset he was calling for.
Afenyo-Markin, in his speech, lauded President John Mahama for initiating the Kwahu Business Forum.
“This initiative is crucial not only for promoting dialogue but also translating those conversations into tangible actions that can propel us toward a brighter economic future,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin stated further: “I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of all the industry players present today. Let this be the beginning of sustained support for entrepreneurship in Ghana, so that together, we can forge a path toward a brighter and more prosperous economic future.
“To the entrepreneurs and businesses present, I urge you to take full advantage of the opportunities before you. Invest boldly in your dreams, for they are the foundation of our collective future.
“Finally, as political leaders, we must remain committed to supporting our entrepreneurs and the private sector. Let us work together to build a business ecosystem where success is driven by merit, hard work, and opportunity, not by politics.”
