This Attitude Towards Ghanaian Entrepreneurs Must Stop Now!: Kennedy Agyapong

Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, has raised fresh concerns over what he describes as discriminatory treatment of Ghanaian-owned businesses by some officials of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and other state agencies.

In a candid video shared on X on December 10, 2025, Agyapong expressed deep frustration, drawing on his own experiences as the head of a diverse business empire spanning media—such as Oman FM and Net 2 TV—manufacturing, and real estate, employing thousands of Ghanaians.

He said the trend of “aggressive audits, needless bureaucracy, and excessive scrutiny” targeted at local entrepreneurs was “deeply troubling,” arguing that some officials behave “as though our own entrepreneurs are enemies of the state” while creating “open doors and preferential opportunities for foreign investors.”

According to him, this skewed environment stifles innovation, entrenches import dependency, and weakens Ghana’s economic sovereignty. “This must change,” he declared, reiterating his long-held belief that Ghanaian businesses have the capability to grow, innovate, and compete globally if given fair support.

Agyapong’s latest criticism adds to his longstanding tensions with the GRA. In March 2023, during his first NPP presidential bid, he accused the Authority of “harassment” after what he claimed were unjustified audits on his steel company, insisting the move amounted to a politically motivated “witch-hunt.” The GRA denied the allegations at the time, stressing its commitment to fairness and urging anyone with evidence of misconduct to come forward.

His concerns, however, mirror widespread frustrations among local business operators who frequently cite excessive red tape and perceived favoritism towards foreign players—especially in mining, retail, and manufacturing—as barriers that fuel unemployment and capital flight.

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Agyapong maintains that his push for reforms is grounded in experience. Having built 16 companies and created over 7,000 jobs, he argues that empowering Ghanaian enterprises is not just fair but crucial for sustainable national development. During a TV3 New Day interview in May 2023, he pledged to “prioritise local businesses,” cautioning that the unchecked dominance of foreign firms “isn’t helpful” to the country’s economic trajectory.

As the NPP prepares for the 2028 presidential primaries, Agyapong—who brands himself as “the nation’s industrialist”—is positioning these concerns as both personal testimony and a blueprint for economic transformation. His message resonates at a time when Ghana faces high youth unemployment and mounting economic pressures, serving as a reminder that genuine progress requires treating homegrown entrepreneurs as partners in development, not obstacles.