The CEO of McDan Group, Daniel McKorley aka McDan, has clarified that his recent comment of government’s lack of adequate support for the private sector to flourish was not targeted at the present government rather, all successive governments.
“Look Gordon, I’ve been in the private sector for at least 30 years so I know what I’m talking about. I can’t single out this government for condemnation but all the previous governments are inclusive. I’m surprised some of the media houses singled out this government.
That’s far from that” he told Gordon Asare-Bediako, Managing Editor of ABC NEWS in a brief conversation at the Trade Fair site yesterday.
“Honestly I don’t want to comment further on this but do you know when I said that, the Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was there and he agreed with some of the criticisms and opinions by myself and others? Yes that’s the way to build a prosperous nation.
Governments should take criticisms from the private sector in good faith and formulate policies to develop the country. Obviously my comments were twisted but I still stand by what I said” he added.
He stated further that “It is true I have benefited from this government to develop the Songor Slat factory but there is more room for improvement”.
Speaking at the recent Ghana CEO-Presidential Gala Dinner, he criticised the lack of support for local businesses, stating that they create an unfavourable environment for entrepreneurs striving to make a difference.
“I will be very blunt,” Dr McKorley stated.
“Government policies have really not helped the private sector. That is where we are sitting right now, and we have to be frank about it.”
Reflecting on his own experiences, he explained how difficult it is for Ghanaians to succeed in doing business.
“If you want to do business in Ghana, then you have to be prepared. Being a Ghanaian doing business in Ghana, you have to be brave,” he said.
He noted that in some instances, Ghanaians even appear to lack support for their own: “Many times, it looks like we don’t support our own. I have tasted it, I have slept with it, and I’m living with it—it’s quite dangerous and difficult.”