The Founding President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has criticised successive governments for what he describes as decades of “lip service” to Ghana’s private sector, warning that the situation continues to undermine job creation and economic growth.
According to him, while policymakers frequently highlight the importance of the private sector as the engine of growth, practical policies and consistent support systems needed to empower businesses remain inadequate.
Speaking on issues relating to employment and economic development, Mr Cudjoe noted that Ghana’s persistent unemployment challenges, particularly among the youth, are largely the result of insufficient attention to private sector development.
He argued that sustainable job creation cannot be achieved through government-led initiatives alone, stressing that a thriving private sector is essential to generating employment opportunities and driving innovation.
Mr Cudjoe explained that over the years, many policy discussions have emphasised the role of private enterprises in economic transformation, yet the regulatory and business environment has often failed to support entrepreneurs and investors.
He pointed out that high taxes, bureaucratic bottlenecks, limited access to credit, and policy inconsistencies continue to make it difficult for businesses to expand and employ more people.
The IMANI Africa president further urged government to shift from rhetoric to concrete action by implementing reforms that genuinely empower the private sector.
He called for policies that reduce the cost of doing business, improve access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and create a stable regulatory environment that encourages both local and foreign investment.
Mr Cudjoe emphasised that supporting private enterprises should not be seen as an optional policy direction but as a national priority, especially in a country where the majority of employment opportunities are generated outside the public sector.
He also encouraged stronger collaboration between government, industry leaders, and policy institutions to design strategies that promote productivity, innovation, and sustainable economic growth.
According to him, if Ghana is to address its unemployment challenges effectively, policymakers must focus on creating an enabling environment where businesses can grow, compete, and generate meaningful employment for the country’s growing workforce.
