By Ghana News
Copyright ghanamma
Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Smith, has called on Ghanaians to adopt a more investor-friendly approach by refraining from actions that discourage foreign businesses from operating in the country.
According to him, corrupt demands such as kickbacks send the wrong signals to potential investors and weaken Ghana’s prospects for sustainable economic growth.
“I want to appeal to Ghanaians: don’t frustrate investors when they come in. Don’t ask them for kickbacks when the business has not even started,” he cautioned, as quoted by citinewsroom.com.
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Drawing from his experience as a former regional minister, he shared an incident where a senior official attempted to pressure him into approving a document without proper scrutiny.
“I was told it was fine and that I should just sign it, but I insisted on reviewing it first. Nobody can coerce me into such shortcuts,” he explained.
While clarifying that not all civil servants and politicians engage in such practices, Smith warned that the unethical behaviour of a few can tarnish the country’s image and deter much-needed foreign direct investments.
“These acts, even if carried out by a minority, can make investors think twice about Ghana. That is why I am appealing to all of us; let’s avoid practices that drive businesses away,” he said.
Victor Smith’s remarks emphasise the ongoing calls for improved governance and accountability to position Ghana as a credible and attractive investment destination.
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