The CEO of the Private Enterprise Federation has revealed that the private sector’s willingness to speak truth to power has come at a cost, resulting in a breakdown of engagement with government.
Nana Osei Bonsu in an interview on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition, explained how the private sector’s assertiveness in addressing critical economic issues led to the cancellation of regular meetings with government officials.
“They didn’t like the music we were playing,” Bonsu stated, referring to government’s reaction to the private sector’s forthrightness.
He explained that during the meetings, the private sector consistently raised concerns about the high costs of doing business and Ghana’s poor ranking on the Corruption Perception Index.
Read also: Businesses still reeling from DDEP, not yet turned the corner – Nana Osei Bonsu
These critiques, though necessary, were not well-received by the authorities, he said.
“We spoke the truth, and they didn’t like it,” Bonsu said.
The fallout from this outspokenness was significant.

Government stopped engaging with the private sector, and the quarterly meetings that had been a platform for collaborative discussions were abruptly halted.
“We haven’t had any meeting for the past year,” Nana Bonsu noted, adding that government effectively dismissed the private sector’s input.
“It was like they said, ‘Thank you, but we don’t need you anymore.’”
Bonsu expressed deep regret over the lost opportunity to influence government policy and help shape the economy.
Read also: Private sector’s high hopes shattered by NPP administration’s failure to deliver – Nana Osei Bonsu
“I regret it very, very much,” he confessed.
“When we don’t talk, you don’t know what I’m thinking, and I don’t know what you’re thinking. But it affects our pocketbooks and livelihoods, and that is where it hurts the most.”
Looking ahead, Bonsu believes the way forward is for the government to embrace the private sector as a key partner in economic recovery.
“Whoever comes tomorrow, we will welcome them with open arms. But we need them to hang their coat on the domestic private sector,” he advised.
Latest Stories
-
Porter remanded over stealing, destroying metal guardrails at Obetsebi Lamptey overpass
3 hours -
5 remanded over GH¢2.3m and $191,900 fake notes
3 hours -
Trump says Israel and Iran have agreed to ‘complete and total’ ceasefire
3 hours -
Cedi holds firm against dollar; one dollar equals GH¢12.15 at forex bureaux
3 hours -
OIC applauds King Mohammed VI’s leadership in safeguarding Al Quds
3 hours -
Joyful Ethiopians and Eritreans embrace at rare border reopening
3 hours -
Police officers charged with murder of Kenyan blogger
3 hours -
US Tennis star Katrina Adams launches “Own The Arena” book in Accra
4 hours -
US Supreme Court allows Trump to resume deportations to third countries
4 hours -
US says Kilmar Ábrego García will ‘never go free’ after judge orders his release
4 hours -
Ignore Kennedy Agyapong’s claims; MMDCEs support not sponsored – Bawumia’s spokesman
4 hours -
Daily insight for CEOs: Strategic Agility – Thriving amid constant change
4 hours -
Mother and children suffer severe burns, appeal for support for life-saving treatment
4 hours -
‘Flower Power; An Arewa Story from the South’ opens at Worldfaze in Accra
5 hours -
KNUST researchers highlight potential areas for future research in Heterotis (Supaku) culture
5 hours