The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has called on businesses in Ghana to adopt responsible commercial practices that prioritise job creation, environmental protection and community development alongside profitability.
He said sustainable economic growth required companies to look beyond their financial performance and recognise their broader responsibilities to workers, consumers and the communities in which they operate.
Mr Debrah made the call in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Presidential Adviser on National Resilience and Emergency Preparedness, Ernest Brogya Genfi, at the maiden Ghana Converge Summit 2026 in Accra.
The summit, organised by the Crestmark Group, was held on the theme, “Sustainable Commerce and Navigating the Future of Enterprise,” bringing together business executives, policymakers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to explore ways of building resilient and competitive enterprises.
Mr Debrah stressed that the pursuit of profit should not come at the expense of workers’ welfare, consumer protection, community well-being or the environment.
He urged businesses to assess their performance not only through profits and balance sheets but also through their contribution to employment, fair labour practices, tax compliance, innovation and local development.
“Responsible commerce,” he said, should be reflected in how businesses treat their employees, meet their tax obligations and contribute to improving the living conditions of people in their operating communities.
Businesses urged to invest in communities
Using Tema, a major industrial hub, as an example, Mr Genfi said the concentration of industries in the area presented an opportunity for businesses to collaborate on projects that address community needs.
He said companies could pool resources to support improvements in infrastructure, education and environmental conditions, helping to improve the quality of life of residents.
On the government’s role in supporting enterprise, Mr Genfi said ongoing economic reforms were intended to create a more favourable environment for private-sector investment and expansion.
He cited easing inflationary pressures, declining interest rates, relative exchange-rate stability and stronger external reserves as developments supporting business confidence.
He also highlighted the Government-CEO Compact 2026 and the Accelerated Exports Agenda as initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors and helping Ghanaian businesses take advantage of opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Mr Genfi further pointed to the National Apprenticeship Programme, Women’s Development Bank and One Million Coders Programme as interventions intended to develop skills, promote economic participation and prepare Ghanaians for emerging opportunities.
Sustainability seen as business opportunity
Contributing to the discussion, Dr Enoch Opare Mintah urged Ghanaian businesses to treat sustainability and the transition to a climate-resilient economy as opportunities for innovation and competitiveness rather than merely regulatory requirements.
Speaking on the topic, “The Enterprise of Tomorrow: How Ghanaian Business Can Convert Sustainability, Climate Transition into Competitiveness,” he said businesses could generate new revenue streams and strengthen their resilience by integrating sustainable practices into their operations.
He particularly encouraged enterprises to explore innovative ways of turning waste and other environmental challenges into commercially viable opportunities.
Dr Mintah’s remarks reinforced the summit’s central message that responsible business practices and environmental sustainability could support long-term enterprise growth while addressing broader economic and social needs.
The summit provided a platform for stakeholders to examine how ethical leadership, innovation and sustainable investment could shape the future of Ghanaian businesses in an increasingly competitive global economy.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
