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Founder and Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), Dr Hassan Ayariga, has called on the government to prioritise Ghanaian-owned businesses in major infrastructure projects, public procurement and strategic economic sectors, warning that the country risks weakening its economic independence if local enterprises continue to struggle for opportunities.
In a national statement issued on October 11, 2026, Dr Ayariga questioned the terms under which foreign companies secure major projects and investment opportunities, arguing that indigenous businesses must receive stronger institutional and financial support to compete.
“Mr President, how many Ghanaian-owned companies have you cut sod for?” he asked, challenging President John Dramani Mahama to demonstrate how his administration is deliberately supporting local entrepreneurs.
Dr Ayariga said while Ghana needs foreign investment to support development, the government must ensure that such investments create jobs, transfer technology and strengthen domestic businesses rather than leave Ghanaian companies at a disadvantage.
“I am not against foreign investment. I am against foreign economic domination,” he said.
His concerns cover several sectors, including mining, construction, agriculture, energy, manufacturing, transportation and infrastructure development, where he wants greater Ghanaian ownership, participation and management.
Calls for fairer access to contracts and financing
The APC leader questioned why some Ghanaian businesses struggle to secure government contracts and affordable financing while foreign investors may have access to stronger financial backing and institutional support from their home countries.
He called for a national economic empowerment strategy that would give qualified Ghanaian-owned companies fair opportunities to compete for major government projects.
He also proposed government-backed financing, credit guarantees and investment mechanisms to enable capable local businesses to undertake large-scale projects.
On public-private partnerships, Dr Ayariga said agreements should demonstrate measurable benefits to Ghana, including local employment, domestic business participation, value for money and long-term economic sustainability.
He further called for foreign investors operating in strategic sectors to comply with applicable local content requirements and contribute to skills development and technology transfer.
Dr Ayariga said the concern was not the nationality of investors but the terms of investment, ownership of assets, distribution of profits and the extent to which Ghanaian citizens benefit.
He specifically raised questions about the expanding involvement of Chinese companies in Ghana’s economy, calling for concerns about local participation, competition and the protection of Ghanaian businesses to be addressed through evidence, transparent contracts and fair regulation.
Warns against loss of control over strategic lands
Dr Ayariga also expressed concern about the transfer or leasing of valuable agricultural, ancestral and strategically located lands to foreign interests, warning that poorly structured arrangements could undermine the economic interests of future generations.
He urged traditional authorities, family heads and landowners to consider the long-term consequences of land transactions, stressing that land is central to food security, livelihoods and national development.
He called for government, traditional authorities and local communities to work together to prevent irresponsible transactions that threaten agricultural production and the interests of future generations.
The APC leader argued that economic independence must extend beyond political sovereignty, saying African countries should reduce their dependence on exporting raw materials and importing finished products.
He called for increased investment in local industries, technology, manufacturing and regional value chains to enable African businesses to retain more of the value generated from the continent’s natural resources.
Proposes eight-point economic empowerment agenda
As part of his proposed “Ghana First” economic policy, Dr Ayariga outlined eight priorities: increased Ghanaian ownership and participation in strategic projects, protection of national assets, fair access to government contracts, affordable capital for local businesses, local content and technology transfer, transparent public-private partnerships, protection of agricultural lands and stronger African economic cooperation.
He said African governments must strengthen intra-African trade and industrialisation to help businesses compete more effectively in global markets.
Dr Ayariga urged President Mahama to reconsider the government’s approach to foreign investment and indigenous business development, arguing that attracting international capital should go hand in hand with building competitive Ghanaian enterprises.
“Let us welcome foreign investors, but let us also build Ghanaian investors,” he said.
He maintained that Ghana should pursue international partnerships without surrendering meaningful control over its economic future.
“Ghana is not for sale,” he declared, calling for a development model in which Ghanaian businesses play a central role in building the country’s economy.
Source: Bolgafmonline.com| 102.7 MHz| Accra
