Story by Eugene Nyarko Jnr. l Movenpick Hotel, Accra l Wednesday, September 2, 2026 —
The Chief Executive Officer and President of Ishmael Yamson and Associates, Mr. Ishmael Yamson, has challenged Ghana’s business community to accept its share of responsibility for the country’s economic difficulties instead of placing the blame entirely on government.
He said the private sector had often lobbied for tax exemptions that narrowed the tax base, while subsequently complaining about high tax rates, and had preferred investments in trading and property to productive assets capable of creating jobs.
Mr. Yamson made the observation at the inaugural extended session of the Ishmael Yamson and Associates Business Round Table (BRT) in Accra.
The Executive Dialogue, panel discussion and networking brunch was held under the theme, “After the Corrections: Building Resilient Economic Pillars for the Next Decade.”
He said businesses had also been reluctant to commit capital unless the state removed every perceived risk, while some pursued advantage through proximity to political power rather than productivity.
“Those of us in business are very quick to explain what government did wrong. We are considerably slower to account for our part in the problem,” he said.
Mr. Yamson said Ghana’s recurring economic difficulties should compel both government and the private sector to examine their own roles in creating the conditions that repeatedly forced the country to seek external financial assistance.
He urged participants at the forum to be prepared to have difficult conversations about the country’s economic future.
“This platform exists so that things can be said here which are difficult to say elsewhere,” he said.
Mr. Yamson urged participants to listen to views they might disagree with, ask difficult questions rather than flattering ones and leave the forum with concrete commitments.
“I ask three things of us this morning: listen properly, ask the hard question rather than the flattering one, and when you leave, take away one commitment. Not an opinion. A commitment,” he said.
He said Ghana had to move away from an economic model that rewarded quick financial returns at the expense of long-term productive investment.
According to him, the country needed businesses that invested in productive assets, created employment and built internationally competitive enterprises.
He also challenged political leaders to ensure that their time in office produced measurable improvements in the quality of life of Ghanaians and strengthened the economy.
Mr. Yamson said the success of a government should not be measured simply by political promises or accusations against previous administrations, but by what it actually delivered.
He urged leaders to ask themselves how they would be remembered after leaving office.
The business leader further called for a change in Ghana’s mindset and culture, saying the country could not continue doing things in the same way and expect different results.
He expressed concern about the rapid changes taking place globally, particularly in technology, and said Ghana needed to equip its young people with the skills required to compete in the emerging global economy.
“The world is changing very fast. Technology is changing the world so fast,” he said.
Mr. Yamson said Ghana needed to be intentional about transforming its economy and could not afford to wait for circumstances to change on their own.
He also expressed concern about the destruction of Ghana’s natural resources, particularly rivers, through environmentally damaging activities.
He said the country had the people and natural resources required to become a successful nation but was failing to harness those advantages effectively.
Mr. Yamson called on business leaders, policymakers and citizens to recognise the urgency of the moment and work together to build a better Ghana.
“We have to change our mindset. And we have to remember all the time that time is not on our side,” he said.
