Ghana is pitching reforms and leadership credibility to distinguish itself in a crowded regional investment market, Simon Madjie, CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA), said this week. The country’s strategy now extends beyond its reputation for political stability, he told Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition.
“So, Ghana is not just selling political stability. Ghana is selling reforms,” Madjie said, responding to a question about whether Ghana’s traditional advantages remained enough to attract investors amid rising competition from neighbouring economies.
Madjie acknowledged the challenge but argued that Ghana was building a broader case for investment through changes intended to benefit both businesses and citizens. He pointed to recent adjustments in tax and customs laws as part of that effort. The emphasis, he said, was on creating an environment where businesses could thrive and prosper.
“Because you need reforms to keep growing your investment here, and who is offering you that credibility through leadership at every level, from the head of state, who is the president, through the minister, to agencies, to local municipal, this is what we are offering,” Madjie said.
The investment pitch involves leadership across government, from the presidency and ministries to agencies and local authorities, forming a coordinated effort to create conditions for long-term investment.
Madjie also referenced sector-specific policies introduced this year, including a textiles policy, an agribusiness policy, and a policy on component manufacturing. These measures are designed to make Ghana a destination for business growth.
“All of these are geared towards making us that place where, when people think about Ghana, they think about a place to thrive, a place to do business, and a place to prosper,” Madjie said.
Ghana’s emphasis on reforms and leadership credibility comes as neighbouring countries improve their investment offerings. The country’s traditional draw has been its political stability compared to some regional peers. Now, Ghana is presenting a wider appeal that includes legal and regulatory changes, sector policies, and leadership that investors can trust.
Madjie’s comments mark a clear shift in the country’s investment narrative. While stability remains part of the story, Ghana’s pitch is expanding to include tangible reforms and a government-led effort to back those changes with credible leadership at all levels.
The GIPA CEO’s remarks came on 21 October 2026 during a live broadcast on Joy News. Host George Wiafe pressed Madjie on the challenges of competing with neighbouring economies, which have been aggressively courting foreign investment with new incentives and infrastructure projects.
Ghana’s new textiles policy aims to boost local manufacturing and exports, while the agribusiness policy targets value addition and increased productivity in the agricultural sector, one of the country’s largest employers. The component manufacturing policy is intended to encourage industries that produce parts for larger supply chains, reducing import dependence.
These sector policies align with Ghana’s broader economic goals. The government has repeatedly emphasised industrialisation and private-sector growth as engines for economic development.
Madjie framed the reforms and leadership credibility as necessary for sustained investor confidence, especially in a global environment where capital can move quickly to the most attractive markets.
“So we know we have natural advantages, but we’ve moved beyond that to creating an environment where businesses can actually thrive and prosper,” he said.
The Ghana Investment Promotion Authority is responsible for promoting and facilitating investment into the country. Its current strategy reflects a more proactive approach to competing regionally, as other West African nations expand their investment incentives and infrastructure.
Ghana’s approach this year suggests a recognition that political stability alone no longer guarantees investor interest. Instead, the country is betting on reforms in legal frameworks, tax laws, and sector policies, backed by leadership credibility, to drive new investment flows.
The government has yet to release detailed figures on investment commitments linked directly to these reforms in 2026. However, Madjie’s comments indicate a push to change perceptions of Ghana’s business environment beyond its long-standing stability.
The emphasis on leadership credibility, from President Nana Akufo-Addo through ministers and local officials, also signals an effort to reassure investors that reforms will be sustained and implemented consistently.
Ghana’s investment pitch is evolving with the times. Whether this broader narrative will translate into increased capital inflows remains to be seen. For now, the country is making clear it wants to be known not just as a stable place to invest but as a place where businesses can grow and prosper.
According to Joy Online.
