President John Dramani Mahama has expressed deep concern over the increasing reliance on foreign nationals to manage businesses in Ghana.
The president says it is a damning reflection of the trust deficit in the country’s human capital and a major restraint on industrial growth.
Speaking at the Kwahu Business Forum, the former president did not mince words in calling out what he sees as a troubling trend when Ghanaian business owners bypass local talent to import foreign managers.
According to him, this phenomenon is not only an indictment on the country’s labour force but also a threat to the development of sustainable, locally-driven industries.
“It is so difficult to get trusted people to work with. So, we must look at that aspect of the restraint to industry,” Mr. Mahama stated.
He added that the decision by some entrepreneurs and industrialists to fly in foreigners to manage their companies questions the quality, attitude, and loyalty of the local workforce.
This phenomenon, he believes is eroding confidence in Ghana’s potential to drive its own industrialization agenda.
“I know that some businesspeople and industrialists are going out of the country and bringing in foreigners to come and manage their businesses. It is an indictment on our human resources, and it is something that we must begin to think about and find ways of creating a core management that is dedicated to working to building the business,” he added.
“What they forget is, as the business grows you get better remunerated, you benefit more. But if you want to suck your pound of flesh out of the business and kill it and move on, then no industry is going to survive.”
President Mahama’s remark is servicing as wake up call to action for both public and private sector players to re-evaluate their approach to human resource development.
He stressed the need for business owners to invest in nurturing a loyal and skilled core management team drawn from Ghana’s youth, capable of growing with the business and contributing to long-term success.
It is also a call to the Ghanaian worker to nurture a stronger sense of professionalism, trustworthiness, and commitment in the discharge of his/her duties.
