Ghana is set to reposition its economy and emerge as the leading manufacturing hub in West Africa, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has said.
Speaking at the opening of the third edition of the Kwahu Business Forum on Friday, April 4, at the Kwahu Convention Centre on Mpraeso Hill, Mr Debrah stated that the government under President John Dramani Mahama is committed to shifting the country from a production-based economy to one driven by manufacturing and value addition.
He emphasised that achieving this goal would require a fundamental change in economic thinking, supported by deliberate policies to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Mr Debrah highlighted the importance of stronger collaboration between the government and the private sector in unlocking Ghana’s industrial potential.
The Chief of Staff criticised the enduring limitations of what he described as the “Guggisberg economy,” urging stakeholders to move beyond mere rhetoric and take concrete steps towards industrialisation.
He called on policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs to focus on building industries that can generate jobs, boost exports, and expand the country’s economic base.
“Let this Forum send a powerful message from the hills of Kwahu to every corner of Ghana: that we are ready to build, ready to produce, ready to lead, and ready to uplift others as we rise,” Mr Debrah declared.
“This is our time not merely to discuss Ghana’s economic destiny, but to shape it. Our time to transform potential into factories, jobs, exports, innovation, and hope. Our time to evolve from an economy known primarily for commerce into one respected globally for production, value addition, and competitive excellence,” he added.
Mr Debrah described the Kwahu Business Forum as a strategic platform for advancing Ghana’s industrial agenda, bringing together government officials, investors, and entrepreneurs to forge practical partnerships.
“This Forum is not a mere ceremony. It is a powerful instrument where policy meets practice, where capital meets creativity, where enterprise meets opportunity, and where public leadership and private sector ambition converge in a unified national dialogue,” he said.
He noted that over the course of the gathering, participants would engage in networking, exhibitions, investment engagements, and the exchange of ideas, with the core objective being to build a stronger, more productive relationship between government and business, as well as between established corporations and emerging entrepreneurs.
The forum, which has become a key feature of Ghana’s Easter calendar, has attracted more than 1,000 participants, including entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers from across the country and beyond.
Organisers indicated that the event aims to deepen investment partnerships, promote business opportunities, and provide a platform for enterprises of all sizes to showcase their products and services.
Participants are also expected to benefit from masterclasses and insights from seasoned business leaders, particularly from the Kwahu enclave, on building resilient and sustainable enterprises.
The third edition of the Kwahu Business Forum is ongoing at the Kwahu Convention Centre on Mpraeso Hill.