Ghana CEO Vision Expo seeks solutions to bridge gaps in government’s reset agenda

Ghanaian business leaders are urging greater private sector involvement in the government's reset agenda, with a focus on local production, innovation and digital finance to stimulate economic growth. The call came at the 5th Ghana CEO Vision Expo and Awards, where business executives gathered to brainstorm practical ways to assist the government's development plan.

Latif Abubakar, founder and CEO of Ghana CEO Vision and Awards, highlighted the need for stronger private sector participation, noting that it currently remains insufficient. He emphasized the importance of creating a platform for business leaders to share ideas and solutions to complement government efforts in revitalizing the economy.

The discussions at the expo will aim to pinpoint gaps in the government's agenda, particularly in areas such as innovation, job creation and local production. Organizers plan to draft a communiqué detailing practical recommendations for submission to the Presidency. Abubakar stressed that governance thrives when there is a public-private partnership.

Ishmael Yamson, the event's chairperson, called on business leaders to prioritize local production and foster a culture of integrity and ethical leadership. He cautioned against perpetually relying on imported goods and instead advocated for investing in local capacity, technology and innovation to achieve sustainable economic transformation.

Yamson challenged CEOs to consider how their businesses could contribute to national development. Shaibu Haruna, CEO of Mobile Money Fintech Limited, emphasized the importance of digital finance in promoting entrepreneurship and strengthening the productive sector. While noting Ghana's progress in financial inclusion through mobile money, Haruna stressed the necessity of converting digital access into economic empowerment.

He questioned whether entrepreneurs could access working capital for their businesses or secure credit without providing collateral, using their digital financial history as collateral. Haruna added that a functional 24-hour economy necessitates reliable digital payment systems allowing businesses to transact continuously. The 5th Ghana CEO Vision Expo and Awards, held under the theme "Reimagining Ghana’s Future: CEOs at the Heart of the Reset Agenda," aimed to explore ways businesses could support the government's development agenda.