Key players in the private sector have expressed disappointment in former President John Mahama for his decision to snub the first CEOs Presidential Manifesto gala held in Accra on Friday, November 8, 2024.

The well attended event graced by the country's top CEOs, business leaders, members of the diplomatic community and other key stakeholders of the business community was billed to have the two leading presidential candidates, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP and former President Mahama of the NDC, as Guest Speakers.

The two were to share and explain their policies for the business and private sector which is considered essential to the growth of the economy.

With the industry gurus anticipating the presence and presentations of the two leaders, former President Mahama failed to honor the CEOs' invite, leaving them utterly disappointed.

To the CEOs, Mr. Mahama has shown he doesn't value an important industry like the business community.

"This is undoubtedly the most important platform to reassure the private sector and business community your commitment to the industry but he chose to be absent. It says a lot...I was hoping to assess them through their words. Now, I have assessed them through their actions", an attendee shared his disappointment.

Another attendee described the former President's behavior as disrespect, stating "anywhere in the world, leading presidential candidates accord business leaders respect because they are key players of the economy. But here, what do we see? With all due respect to former President Mahama, I think he has not showed enough respect to this forum".

Another CEO added that the fact that former President Mahama didn't send his Running Mate nor a representative tells a lot about the kind of leader he will become and the kind of governance Ghanaians will have to endure if they vote him into power.

"Even if you don't attend, you have to show your commitment in a way by sending your Running Mate or at least a senior representative. The fact that none of it happened tells a lot. It reveals a certain mindset towards the business community."

Nonetheless, the well-attended event was highly successful with business leaders and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia sharing their views.

In a roundtable discussion, Daniel McKorley, the Chief Executive of McDan company, Kofi Amoabeng of UT Bank fame, Ken Ashigbey of Ghana Telecoms Chamber and Alhassan Andani of Stanbic Bank fame shared their views on what should be an ideal business and private sector manifesto.

Addressing the CEOs and the business community, Dr. Bawumia described them as "key drivers" of the economy and assured them that if elected President, he will prioritize the sustainable growth of the private sector to drive Ghana's economic growth through what he described as "business-friendly" policies.

Among the policies, Dr. Bawumia remarked, will to overhaul the present tax system, which he noted, inhibits the growth of businesses.

He reiterated his quest to introduce a new tax regime which will grant businesses tax amnesty, introduce a new flat tax rate, a new flat import duty in cedis, electronic filing of taxes as well as empowering the private sector to undertake public infrastructure projects in an enhanced public-private partnership.