By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah, has hinted that each bank participating in the newly rolled-out initiative being championed by the government dubbed the “Kwahu Business Forum,” is expected to support at least five viable new enterprises this year, with plans to continue this support annually.
This approach, according to him, is projected to result in the creation of over 600 enterprises by the end of the four-year term, aligning with President Mahama’s vision of fostering a robust and inclusive business environment.
The Government of Ghana, through this laudable initiative, reaffirmed its commitment to bolstering the business sector, aiming to establish over 600 new enterprises by the end of President John Dramani Mahama’s current term.
He added, “At least each of the banks that will show up is going to pick five projects, five bankable projects for this year. And they expect that next year, when we return to Kwahu, they will invite those five people whom they helped or assisted to come and testify.
So if this continues for the next five years, each bank will take a minimum of five people, five enterprises to support. The following year, doing the same. I’m sure by the end of his four-year tenure, we’ll have over 600 enterprises that we can pinpoint and see that these are things that President Mahama started,” the Chief of Staff noted.
This initiative is closely tied to the upcoming Kwahu Business Forum, scheduled for Saturday, April 19, 2025, which seeks to facilitate engagement between financial institutions and the private sector to explore investment opportunities and policy support.
Addressing journalists on Monday, April 14, 2025, the Chief of Staff emphasised the forum’s potential to inject capital into the economy as well as to generate sustainable employment.
He explained that the initiative would stimulate local economies, create jobs, increase tax revenues, and contribute to national growth.
The Kwahu Business Forum is designed to serve as a strategic platform for dialogue between financial institutions and private sector players, fostering collaboration to enhance Ghana’s business environment.
It aims to bring together stakeholders to discuss innovative financing models and strategies to strengthen the country’s business climate.
“A lot of funds are going to come into the economy. Because once a business starts, it stimulates the local economy where the company will be situated, and people get employed.
They get money, and they pay their taxes, they buy other products from other people, and then our economy is stimulating and growing. And so I think what he intends to achieve is that he wants to grow businesses,” he reiterated.
According to Mr. Debrah, President Mahama wants to be remembered for one thing: that during his tenure, at least if for nothing at all, he brought up the conversation, invited business people, and asked them to start something, not just starting but encouraging banks to give them the necessary support so that we will develop our nation.
