The Executive Chairman of the KGL Group, Alex Apau Dadey, has called for a national reorientation that positions the private sector as a trusted partner in Ghana’s development agenda rather than a competitor to the government.
Delivering the 2025 University of Ghana Alumni Lecture at the Great Hall on the theme “Public-Private Partnership – A Case Study of Responsible Corporate Citizenship,” Mr. Dadey urged government officials, policymakers, and industry players to embrace collaboration built on trust, shared purpose, and national ownership.
“Governments do not create wealth; the private sector does. The government sets the rules of the game, but it is the private sector that plays it with innovation, capital, and resilience,” he said. “It is time for Ghana to move beyond seeing the private sector as a rival and instead recognize it as a vital ally in national development.”
Reflecting on Ghana’s economic history, Mr. Dadey lamented the collapse of major indigenous enterprises such as Siaw Industries, GNTC, and Neoplan Ghana, describing their demise as evidence of the country’s failure to nurture homegrown businesses.
He contrasted this with global examples like Tata Motors and Shoprite, which grew into multinational successes through deliberate state support and sound policy alignment.
According to him, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) anchored in Responsible Corporate Citizenship could unlock Ghana’s potential by allowing private initiatives to drive social and economic transformation.
“Responsible businesses should not only pursue profit but also build legacies based on honesty, integrity, and trust — companies that can outlive their founders,” he said.
Mr. Dadey emphasized that economic freedom for Ghana will not be achieved through aid but through ownership — ownership of industries, ideas, and resources by Ghanaians themselves.
“Every thriving economy reaches a point where the government cannot do it alone. The private sector must not only be involved — it must lead. But it cannot lead in isolation,” he stressed, urging a new national mindset focused on partnership.
Highlighting the importance of the Ghanaian diaspora, he noted that no nation has achieved lasting progress without harnessing the talents and resources of its people abroad.
He called for a shift from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Diaspora Direct Investment (DDI), encouraging Ghanaians living overseas to channel their capital, skills, and ideas into the country’s development.
Beyond economics, Mr. Dadey underscored the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in promoting sustainable and ethical business practices.
He cited the work of the KGL Foundation, which has made significant contributions in education, youth empowerment, health, arts, culture, and sports. The Foundation has awarded over 300 scholarships to brilliant but needy students, supported mental health advocacy initiatives, and played a major role in reviving Ghana’s U-17 Colts Football Programme while sponsoring the Black Stars for four consecutive years.
Mr. Dadey concluded by calling for collaboration across all sectors — public, private, academic, and diaspora — to redefine Ghana’s development journey.
“The government cannot do it alone. Businesses cannot do it alone. Academia cannot do it alone. Communities cannot do it alone. But together, when we combine our knowledge, ideas, and resources, we can transform Ghana for generations to come. The time for convenience is over. This is the hour for conviction and partnership,” he charged.
Source: Adomonline.com