The CEO of the AfCFTA Trading Company has advised individuals interested in establishing businesses within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to be prepared for the challenges that come with operating in Ghana’s business environment.
His remarks were made during the recent Ghana CEO-Presidential Gala Dinner, where he offered a candid assessment of the obstacles faced by the private sector under the current business conditions.
“I’ll be straightforward,” he began. “Government policies have not been very supportive of the private sector. That’s the reality we face, and we need to be honest about it.”
The CEO emphasized the resilience required to succeed as a business owner in Ghana.
“If you want to do business in Ghana, you must be ready for the journey. Being a Ghanaian entrepreneur, you need courage,” he advised.
“Too often, it seems like we don’t support our own. I have lived through it, experienced it, and still carry the weight—it’s a difficult and dangerous challenge,” he added.
He pointed to the untapped economic potential of local businesses, should the government create a more supportive framework for their growth.
“If my companies were empowered, we could generate $3.2 billion annually for the government,” he noted.
The CEO suggested that Ghana could follow the example of other countries that actively collaborate with their indigenous companies, particularly in times of economic distress.
“Imagine if the government reached out to AfCFTA Trading Company and other large local businesses in times of need, just as other countries do,” he concluded.
Source : Modern Ghana