President John Dramani Mahama has urged Ghanaian entrepreneurs to design their businesses to outlive them, warning that the country continues to lose promising local companies not because they fail commercially, but because their founders never put in place plans for what happens after they retire or die. He made these remarks during a visit to Kasapreko Limited, a stop on a wider tour of domestic manufacturers. This tour also took him to Nestlé Ghana and Three Dreamers Manufacturing.
According to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mahama told officials and staff at Kasapreko that the collapse or decline of many Ghanaian-owned firms once their founders exit remains one of the biggest obstacles to building a strong indigenous private sector. He singled out Kasapreko as an exception, describing the company as a model Ghanaian enterprise that managed to hand over leadership to a new generation while still growing its footprint in international markets.
Mahama noted that when a founder leaves, whether through retirement or death, many businesses simply fold because they were never built as institutions capable of running independently of the person who started them. He urged business owners to deliberately put structures and systems in place so their companies could remain productive and competitive long after they themselves had stepped away.
The President recalled that Kasapreko was a comparatively small operation when he first visited the company eleven years ago, running only three production lines. The company has since expanded to eight lines, serving both local consumers and export markets. This expansion is a testament to the company's successful leadership transition and growth strategy.
Mahama also congratulated Kasapreko on its listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange, through which the company raised GHS 700 million, funds being channelled into a new factory at Adiamso. He expressed confidence that this expansion would open the door to more factories and more jobs for young Ghanaians.
Mahama's succession-planning appeal lands at a moment when his government is emphasising improved investor confidence in the economy. He pointed to foreign direct investment rising from $624 million in 2024 to $2.62 billion in 2025, a jump he partly credited to expansions such as Nestlé's Tema plant. He also highlighted falling borrowing costs as evidence of an improving climate for local firms.
The President tied the improving climate to his government's 24-hour economy initiative, which is designed to boost production and create jobs through extended shifts and expanded manufacturing activity. While no new policy, fund or programme aimed specifically at helping Ghanaian businesses plan for succession was announced, Mahama's visit to Kasapreko, Nestlé and Three Dreamers Manufacturing signals his government's focus on supporting local businesses.
Key points
- President Mahama urges Ghanaian businesses to build beyond founders.
- Kasapreko cited as a rare success story in succession planning.
- Government emphasises improved investor confidence in the economy.
