Kwahu Business Forum 2026: Chief of Staff urges stronger government-business partnerships

The Chief of Staff of the Republic of Ghana, Julius Debrah, has called on both government and the private sector to work in close partnership to accelerate Ghana’s economic transformation, during his keynote address at the Kwahu Business Forum 2026 on Friday, April 3. Mr. Debrah emphasised that manufacturing must sit at the heart of Ghana’s growth strategy if the country is to achieve a larger, more stable, and inclusive economy.

“Building a new compact between government and business is a must,” he said, noting that the government’s role is to provide an enabling environment, policy clarity, macroeconomic discipline, infrastructure, efficient regulation, skills development, and reliable power. He stressed that businesses can only thrive when these fundamentals are strong, but also highlighted the responsibilities of the private sector.

“Business must invest boldly, innovate consistently, formalise where necessary, and scale beyond comfort. We must build firms that focus not only on immediate margins, but on long-term competitiveness, resiliency, and national impact,” he said, urging enterprises to adopt strategic thinking that balances profitability with national development.

Addressing the current global economic climate, Mr. Debrah warned of uncertainty driven by geopolitical conflicts, inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, and other external shocks, stating that enterprises must embrace a language of resiliency.

“Firms must be able to withstand shocks, adapt quickly, and remain competitive even in difficult environments. This requires stronger institutions, better planning, local production, deeper supply chains, and a commitment to sustainability and governance,” he explained. His remarks highlighted the need for Ghanaian businesses to integrate resilience into their core strategy while aligning with national development priorities.

Mentorship emerged as a central theme of his address. He urged established business leaders, industrialists, and financiers to mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs, sharing not only capital, but also experience, wisdom, judgment, and discipline.

“Mentorship is not charity. It is an economic strategy. It is how a country reproduces excellence, strengthens institutions, widens opportunities, and builds a sustainable economy of shared prosperity,” he said, framing mentorship as a key tool for nurturing talent and sustaining institutional memory.

For younger business leaders, he advised humility, teachability, and a willingness to learn from those with experience.

“Receiving mentorship must be treated not as a favour, but as a duty to learn, grow, and build responsibly. If those who have climbed are willing to extend a hand, those who are rising must also be willing to reach for it,” he emphasised, highlighting the mutual responsibility inherent in knowledge transfer.

In a call to collective action, Mr. Debrah urged Ghana’s business community to convert potential into tangible outcomes.

“This is our time to move from an economy known mainly for commerce into one respected for production, transformation, and competitive strength. Let business lead with courage. Let government support with clarity. Let seasoned leaders raise the next generation, and let our young people see that this country still believes in their future,” he said, articulating a vision of shared responsibility and national ambition.

The Chief of Staff concluded by asserting that with discipline, ambition, and unity of purpose, Ghana can build industries, create jobs, expand opportunities, and transform promise into power. He urged the forum to inspire partnership, enterprise, mentorship, and a new chapter in Ghana’s economic transformation, signalling a renewed commitment to building a resilient, self-reliant, and globally competitive economy.