Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has highlighted the Kwahu Business Forum as a key initiative to foster entrepreneurship and support the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana.
Speaking about President Mahama’s vision in an interview with Citi News, Debrah emphasised the need to unlock the country’s entrepreneurial potential and leverage the vast opportunities within the West African subregion.
According to Debrah, the forum scheduled for Saturday April 19, is designed to help Ghanaian businesses expand their reach to markets in neighboring countries such as Burkina Faso and Mali.
“The objective of this Kwahu Business Forum is to grow businesses,” he stated, adding that the initiative aligns with the President’s goal of developing more Ghanaian-owned SMEs that champion export and manufacturing.
Debrah clarified that while the government will not directly establish factories or industries, it is committed to providing the necessary support to enable the private sector to thrive.
The forum serves as a platform for private participants, particularly SMEs, to brainstorm and collaborate on strategies for growth.
This year’s edition of the Kwahu Business Forum builds on the success of the inaugural event. Debrah noted that financial institutions, investor banks, and other organisations have been invited to participate, with many managing directors and chief executives personally attending.
These leaders will deliver presentations on products and services that can benefit SMEs, while an exhibition will showcase offerings from various banks.
Debrah expressed optimism about the forum’s potential to create a lasting impact, stating that it reflects President Mahama’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and driving economic growth.
“At the end of the day, he’ll be able to say that during my tenure as president, I was able to help develop businesses that are championing export and manufacturing,” he remarked.