Dr. William Mensah-Ansah, a renowned industrialist based at Tema in the Greater Accra Region, has voiced strong concerns over the persistent spread of false allegations targeting Ghanaian entrepreneurs and locally owned businesses.

He warned that such actions are not only harmful to the individuals involved but also detrimental to the country’s industrial growth and national development.

Speaking over the weekend, Dr. Mensah-Ansah highlighted a worrying trend in which prominent local businesses, such as Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom’s Group of Companies, UT Bank, Kasapa, Kludjeson companies, and the Jospong Group, have been subjected to unfounded accusations.

He stressed that these baseless claims damage reputations and derail progress in a sector that should be the backbone of economic transformation.

“This pattern of attacking successful local entrepreneurs creates a toxic environment that discourages innovation and enterprise,” he said.

“It sends the wrong message to the youth who see these business leaders as role models.”

Dr. Mensah-Ansah contrasted Ghana’s approach to that of other African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, where homegrown entrepreneurs are celebrated and supported.

He lamented the lack of a similar culture in Ghana, where criticism often overshadows accomplishments.

He called on the Ghanaian media to shift its focus toward promoting positive narratives around local businesses, emphasizing their potential to drive job creation, enhance economic diversification, and improve national competitiveness.

“The media must become a partner in progress, not a tool for destruction,” he urged.

The industrialist also warned that in today’s interconnected global economy, negative press can severely hinder a company’s growth and investment prospects.

He pointed to the Jospong Group of Companies as a shining example of resilience, applauding its transformation from a modest local venture into a major African player over the last 18 years.

Dr. Mensah-Ansah appealed to both policymakers and the general public to rally behind local industries.

He argued that supporting these businesses can reduce Ghana’s dependence on imports, foster innovation, and unlock new growth opportunities.

“By adopting policies that empower local industries and protecting our entrepreneurs from unwarranted attacks, Ghana can harness the full potential of its private sector,” he concluded.

Dr. Mensah-Ansah’s remarks underscore the urgent need for a cultural and institutional shift toward safeguarding and empowering Ghanaian entrepreneurs who are essential to the nation’s development agenda.