Former President John Agyekum Kufuor says weak private sector growth and low public sector wages in Ghana are key factors contributing to corruption.
Speaking in an interview on the AM Show, Mr Kufuor said the two issues reinforce each other and create a cycle that undermines governance and national development.
“Because we do not promote the private sector the way we should, and because the wages are not good, these two factors combined render our system perversely corrupt,” he said.
The former president argued that Ghana possesses vast natural resources, including fertile agricultural land, abundant water and other valuable assets, yet struggles to translate these advantages into broad economic prosperity.
Mr Kufuor also criticised what he described as a culture of jealousy and bureaucratic delays that hinder the growth of local businesses.
According to him, Ghanaian entrepreneurs often face long delays when applying for business licences, sometimes waiting years for approval.
He claimed that foreign investors, including Lebanese and Indian businesspeople, are often able to navigate the same processes more easily.
Mr Kufuor suggested that some political actors may deliberately frustrate the growth of successful local entrepreneurs due to concerns that wealthy businesspeople could eventually influence the country’s political landscape.
He warned that failing to nurture a strong private sector limits the country’s ability to generate domestic wealth and fund effective governance.
Mr Kufuor said strengthening the private sector is essential for improving living standards and promoting sustainable national development.
