Ghanaian Businesses Grapple with Trust Deficit in Workforce, Mahama Reports

President John Dramani Mahama has identified a critical hurdle stifling Ghanaian enterprises: a pervasive lack of trustworthy personnel rather than insufficient capital.

Speaking at the Kwahu Business Forum, the president revealed that repeated consultations with business leaders highlighted this issue as a top concern, describing it as detrimental to productivity and economic growth.

“Several businessmen have told me that one of the major hindrances they face in business is not even capital it is getting trusted people to work with,” Mahama stated. He elaborated that employees often view their roles as platforms to advance personal interests rather than contribute to their employers’ success. This dynamic, he argued, undermines operational efficiency and long-term business sustainability.

To illustrate the problem, Mahama shared an anecdote about a relative he supported by purchasing a commercial bus. The vehicle was entrusted to a driver tasked with generating income for the family. However, the president recounted that the driver prioritized personal gain, using earnings to acquire land and begin constructing a house while neglecting maintenance of the bus. When the vehicle eventually broke down and was sold, the driver’s unfinished project stalled, leaving both parties at a loss.

The example underscores a broader pattern Mahama seeks to address. While access to financing remains a challenge for many entrepreneurs, the president emphasized that the scarcity of reliable human resources poses an equally urgent and often overlooked barrier. His remarks align with longstanding grievances from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which frequently cite employee theft, mismanagement, or conflicts of interest as operational risks.

Analysts note that Mahama’s observations reflect systemic issues in Ghana’s labor market, including gaps in vocational training, ethical standards, and accountability mechanisms. Trust deficits between employers and employees can escalate costs, deter investment, and stifle scalability a concern particularly acute in family-run businesses, where blurred personal and professional boundaries compound challenges.

Economists argue that resolving this crisis requires multifaceted solutions, from strengthening workplace ethics education to incentivizing performance-based employment models. Others stress the need for robust legal frameworks to address breaches of trust while fostering a culture of professionalism. As Ghana pushes to revitalize its private sector, bridging this human resource gap may prove pivotal to translating entrepreneurial potential into tangible economic progress.