The Minority in Parliament has called for a decisive shift in Ghana’s approach to supporting indigenous businesses, cautioning that political influence must not determine which enterprises succeed or fail.
Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, speaking through the Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, warned that any system that ties business success to political power risks undermining the country’s economic future.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Kwahu Business Forum held on Saturday, April 4, 2026 under the theme “Leaders Committing to Sustenance of Ghanaian Businesses,” Mr. Jerry Shaib stressed the need for practical, long-term policies that enable local businesses to grow and compete fairly.
“The time has come for Ghana to move beyond rhetoric and ensure that local businesses are not merely surviving, but thriving on a level playing field,” he said.
He described entrepreneurship as central to nation building, noting that sustainable development cannot be achieved if business opportunities are shaped by political affiliation. According to him, the politicisation of enterprise stifles innovation, sidelines local firms and creates an uneven environment that favours foreign competitors.
“The success of a business should never depend on which political regime is in power. Our responsibility is to create a fair environment where merit, innovation and hard work are rewarded,” he emphasised.
Mr. Shaib also highlighted the critical role of young people in driving entrepreneurship, urging that they be empowered and included at the forefront of innovation and enterprise development.
Drawing from engagements with key industry stakeholders, including the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), the Ghana Employers’ Association, farmers and small and medium-scale enterprises, he described the concerns raised as “sobering.”
Among the major challenges identified were high lending rates, stringent collateral requirements, short credit repayment periods and a tax regime that places heavy burdens on businesses without improving competitiveness.
He added that many manufacturers are operating below capacity due to rising energy costs, which make full-scale production unprofitable.
“We cannot preach entrepreneurship while the system makes capital structurally inaccessible,” he stated.
He further criticised the implementation of the AI-based customs duty assessment system, known as the Publican Trade Solution, arguing that it has led to inflated and inconsistent valuations due to the lack of independent validation and an effective appeals process.
Another key concern, he noted, is the persistent lack of consultation between policymakers and the business community, with many decisions imposed on industry players without adequate engagement.
In response, the Minority outlined a set of proposed reforms aimed at creating a more predictable and supportive business environment.
These include the introduction of a statutory pre-legislative consultation framework, a comprehensive review of the cumulative impact of taxes before new levies are introduced, and parliamentary scrutiny of the customs system alongside the establishment of a credible appeals mechanism.
Other proposals include an independent review of utility tariff structures, targeted investments in technical and vocational education aligned with industry needs, structured quarterly engagements between Parliament and business associations, and reforms to SME financing to allow for longer credit tenures and more flexible collateral requirements.
“Our commitment is not just to speak, but to be held accountable,” Mr. Shaib said. He concluded by urging entrepreneurs to invest confidently in their ventures and called on the financial sector to work with policymakers to build a resilient ecosystem that supports indigenous businesses.
“Let this forum be more than a conversation. Let it mark the beginning of sustained and structured support for Ghanaian enterprises,” he added.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
