President John Dramani Mahama said one of the most pressing challenges confronting businesses in Ghana today is the difficulty of finding reliable and trustworthy employees, a problem he described as even more daunting than securing capital.
Speaking Saturday at the Kwahu Business Forum, Mr. Mahama shared a personal account of how a family-run transport venture ended in disappointment due to mismanagement and misplaced priorities by those entrusted with its operations.
“I’ve had businessmen tell me their biggest challenge is not capital—it’s finding people they can trust,” he said. “If someone comes to work for you, they often view your business as a platform to build their own.”
Mr. Mahama recounted purchasing a bus for a relative to support a family business, only to watch the investment deteriorate due to poor handling by a driver—also a relative—who modified the vehicle to carry excessive loads. These modifications led to repeated mechanical failures and ongoing repair costs that, in Mr. Mahama’s words, exceeded what he would have spent simply providing financial support to the family directly.
“The axle broke, and each breakdown meant I had to pay more money to fix the bus. Meanwhile, the driver was using the income to build his own house,” Mr. Mahama said. “Eventually, I sold the bus. That house, to this day, remains at the lintel level.”
The president’s remarks underscore a deeper concern shared by many local entrepreneurs, who struggle with employee loyalty and ethical standards. Mr. Mahama noted that some business owners now prefer hiring foreign managers due to frustrations with the local workforce.
“It’s an indictment on our human resource,” he said. “We must begin building a core of professionals who are genuinely committed to growing the businesses they work for, not just leveraging them for personal gain.”
His comments sparked discussion among business leaders at the forum, highlighting the need for broader cultural and professional reforms to support the country’s private sector development.
Source:TheDotNews