MTN Ghana's Senior Vice President for West and Central Africa, Ebenezer Asante, is urging for new government policies and creative business ideas to protect Ghanaian companies from growing dangers. He spoke at the Arganbright Partners Convergence Conference on May 21, 2026. His main point was that businesses are at high risk if they depend too much on just one area of the economy.
Mr. Asante explained that when companies rely heavily on one sector, like agriculture or mining, they are very exposed to economic downturns. This risk is made even worse if these companies operate without being officially registered or following formal business rules. This means they don't have the protections that formal businesses do. About half of Ghana's businesses are believed to operate in the informal sector.
This situation affects Ghana's overall economic health. The country has faced challenges with economic stability. High inflation and currency fluctuations have been problems. Encouraging formal business structures helps the government collect taxes and provides a more stable economic base. The Conference theme, “Governance and Ethics in the 21st Century: A Path to Sustainable Value Creation,” highlighted the need for ethical leadership and strong company management.
Mr. Asante stressed that Ghana needs unique rules and laws that help local companies thrive. "We need bespoke regulatory frameworks to support some of the made-in-Ghana businesses," he stated during his address. He also noted that some businesses are already taking steps to lower their risks. These steps include looking for money on the stock market and creating more organized ways to run their companies. He believes this helps formalize and professionalize business operations.
The MTN executive also challenged business leaders and universities to create business strategies that are based on Ghanaian success stories. They should move away from just copying foreign models. "The business case we need to develop is not the Harvard business case. We need business cases that show how people have grown their businesses from Makola to where they are today," Asante suggested. He called on institutions like universities and government agencies to promote changes that support business growth, new ideas, and lasting value.
The conference brought together many business leaders and experts. They discussed good governance, ethical leadership, and how to build strong businesses for the future. These discussions are important for Ghana as it works to build a more resilient and prosperous economy. The call for reform comes at a time when many sectors are struggling with global economic uncertainty.