The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on government to depoliticise entrepreneurship and create a more enabling environment for Ghanaian businesses to thrive.
Speaking at the Kwahu Business Forum 2026, Second Deputy Minority Whip and Member of Parliament, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, stressed the need for sustained commitment to the growth of indigenous businesses, describing the private sector as critical to Ghana’s economic development.
Representing the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, he outlined several challenges confronting businesses, including high lending rates, heavy tax burdens, and limited stakeholder consultation in policymaking.
According to him, prevailing lending conditions continue to shut out many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with strict collateral requirements in the banking sector making access to credit difficult.
He further identified policy inconsistencies and consultation gaps as major setbacks, calling for the introduction of a statutory pre-legislative consultation framework to ensure that business concerns are adequately incorporated into national policies.
Jerry Ahmed Shaib also advocated for a comprehensive assessment of the cumulative impact of taxes on businesses, as well as increased parliamentary oversight of emerging systems such as the AI-driven customs assessment regime.
The Minority Caucus, he said, remains committed to promoting policy stability, predictable legislation, and economic direction that reflects the realities of Ghanaian businesses.
As part of its proposals, the caucus is pushing for quarterly parliamentary engagements with business associations, targeted reforms in SME financing, and increased investment in technical and vocational education.
He urged entrepreneurs to remain resilient and continue investing in their ventures, while also calling on financial institutions to prioritise support for local enterprises.
“Let this forum be not merely a platform for dialogue, but the beginning of sustained, structured support for entrepreneurship in Ghana,” he stated.
The forum brought together industry players, business leaders and other stakeholders, who underscored the importance of collaboration in driving economic growth and shaping Ghana’s business landscape.
