The Executive Chairman of KGL Group, Mr Alex Apau Dadey, has called for a strategic reset in Ghana’s public-private partnership framework, urging the private sector to prioritise long-term value creation as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth.
Speaking at the Kwahu Business Forum, Mr Dadey emphasised that Ghana’s development trajectory would increasingly depend on how effectively private capital is aligned with national development priorities, rather than short-term profit maximisation.
He noted that while the expansion of private enterprises remains critical to job creation and economic diversification, the quality of that growth, anchored in governance, sustainability, and accountability would ultimately determine its impact on the broader economy.
Mr Dadey challenged business leaders to rethink their role within the economy, stressing that partnerships with government must deliver measurable economic outcomes, including improved productivity, enhanced service delivery, and stronger institutional capacity.
“When the private sector engages government, the focus must shift from extraction to value creation. This is what differentiates transactional businesses from institutions that contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.
He explained that adopting a corporate citizenship approach where businesses integrate social responsibility, ethical conduct, and governance into their core operations could strengthen investor confidence, deepen market trust, and improve long-term returns.
According to him, trust remains a critical but often underestimated economic asset in emerging markets like Ghana, influencing everything from capital flows and investment decisions to consumer behaviour and regulatory compliance.
Mr Dadey warned that poorly structured public-private partnerships that fail to deliver tangible value risk eroding public confidence, weakening institutions, and undermining fiscal efficiency.
He therefore called for a redefinition of such partnerships to ensure they are outcome-driven, transparent, and aligned with national development goals, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and industrialisation.
On business sustainability, Mr Dadey urged African entrepreneurs to transition from personality-driven enterprises to institution-based models capable of scaling, attracting investment, and surviving beyond their founders.
He noted that businesses built on strong systems, governance frameworks, and professional management structures were more likely to access long-term financing, integrate into global value chains, and withstand economic shocks.
“The strength of an economy is tied not just to the number of businesses it has, but to the resilience and longevity of those businesses,” he added.
Mr Dadey also highlighted the role of government in fostering a competitive business environment, calling for consistent policies, regulatory clarity, and fairness in market operations to enable local firms to thrive.
He stressed that empowering indigenous businesses was essential for retaining capital within the economy, boosting domestic investment, and supporting inclusive growth.
To the private sector, he underscored the need for discipline, transparency, and adherence to regulatory standards, noting that these were critical for building credibility and attracting both local and foreign investment.
Mr Dadey further urged stakeholders to move beyond dialogue and take concrete steps towards building strong, enduring institutions that could drive Ghana’s long-term economic transformation.
He added that the future competitiveness of Ghana’s economy would depend on businesses that not only generate profits but also create value, build trust, and contribute to national development outcomes.
