The 2025 Kwahu Easter festivities are set to take a historic turn as President John Dramani Mahama’s administration prepares to unveil a flagship business collaboration initiative with long-term national implications.
At the centre of this transformative project is the Kwahu Business Forum, a strategic platform designed to empower entrepreneurs, stimulate economic growth, and build a strong foundation for Ghana’s industrial development.
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, the man driving the initiative under President Mahama’s leadership, says the Forum is a direct response to the administration’s vision of expanding Ghana’s private sector capacity.
“This year’s Kwahu Easter festivities will witness a groundbreaking moment, as CEOs of Banks and Financial Institutions come together to meet Business Owners and Captains of Industry”
Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff
According to him, the idea was crafted to marry financial access with grassroots enterprise development.
The event, which will be held on Saturday, is expected to feature both a forum and an exhibition. While the forum will allow interaction between business owners and top financial executives, the exhibition space will provide an avenue for product pitching and networking.
The exhibitions will continue into Sunday, even though the main forum will conclude on Saturday evening. Julius Debrah emphasized the long-term structure of the initiative.
He explained that each participating bank is expected to select and support a minimum of five viable projects every year.
“Now the first strategy that the bankers themselves gave us is that at least each of the banks that will show up are going to pick five projects, five bankable projects for this year and they expect that next year when we return they will invite those five people that they helped or assisted to come and testify”
Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff
In his statement, the chief of staff explained that these beneficiaries when they return the following year will share their experiences, ensuring transparency, continuity, and real-time assessment of impact of the project.
Legacy Through Enterprise Support
President Mahama, who returned to power with a renewed focus on economic empowerment, views the Kwahu Business Forum as more than just an annual gathering. According to Debrah, the President sees it as a mechanism for nationwide transformation.
“What he intends to achieve is to grow businesses. He wants to be remembered for that one thing. That during his tenure, at least if for nothing at all, he brought up the conversation, invited business people, and asked them to start something – not just starting, but encouraging banks to give them the necessary support so that we will develop our nation”
Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff
The Chief of Staff projects that if the model is properly maintained over the next four years, the number of supported enterprises could surpass 600 by the time President Mahama’s tenure comes to an end.
“That is the importance the President attaches to it. It’s a project that he wants to see succeed”
Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff
He further explained that using this platform to boost local business enterprises is the right step in revitalizing Ghana’ private sector and reaping all its benefits, because a lot of funds are going to come into the economy.
In his words, “once a business starts, it stimulates the local economy where the company or business is cited.” The people get employed, they get money, they pay taxes, they buy other products from other people, all of which grows the economy.
A National Blueprint
Although named after the iconic Kwahu Easter setting, Debrah hinted that the vision is to eventually give the forum a national character.
He suggested future editions could draw participants from all over Ghana and even feature high-level public officials providing guidance on various aspects of setting up and supporting businesses that will be valuable to all stakeholders.
“So, for example, it should be possible that somewhere along the line next year, they could have maybe the Commissioner General of GRA trying to explain to businesses the advantages they can have”
Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff
Beyond the domestic focus, the initiative is also designed to feed into President Mahama’s broader West African economic agenda. “So, basically, it will just be about how to grow businesses under president Mahama’s watch.”
With plans to stage Ghana’s International Trade Fairs across regional capitals such as Ouagadougou, Niamey, and Bamako, the administration intends to use the Kwahu model as a springboard for export-driven growth.
Debrah confirmed that the President’s team is already envisioning future forums as gateways to international exposure for local entrepreneurs.
By pairing Ghanaian business owners with financial institutions and guiding them through regulatory processes, the Kwahu Business Forum aims to ensure that the promise of economic transformation becomes a lived reality under Mahama’s administration.
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