You set the pace for growth of private sector – Jospong celebrates Kufuor

The Executive Chairman of Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong has showered praises on Former President Kufuor for his immense contribution to the private sector which according to him, has propelled the growth of many individual businesses in the country.

Speaking at this year’s Thanksgiving Service organized by his firm to express gratitude to God for the successes chalked, Dr. Agyepong said Kufuor, during his time as president of Ghana, created the enabling environment for private businesses to thrive, a step which was emulated by his successors.

“In the history of governance of our country, you are acknowledged as a motivational leader who set the pace for golden age of business to the private sector. Such as your commitment to local entrepreneurship to develop an area that before your entry into active politics, you had exhibited excellence that even you offered the opportunity to local businessmen to partner government to grow businesses.

“Most importantly, having set the pace for the growth of the private sector, it is worth to note that the developmental path of motivating private sector players is extremely high on the agenda and growth of our dear country,” he said.

Dr. Agyepong recounted honoring the invitation of Kufuor in 2007 when Zoomlion, a subsidiary of Jospong Group of Companies, started operation and the words of encouragement given him during their encounter.

According to him, it was an honor to meet then President Kufuor at the seat of government who had taken notice of the works of his [Jospong] company.

“He encouraged me, an ordinary business person just to congratulate me. Your Excellency, when I left the house, that motivated me very well and now the company has metamorphosed into so many things. Congratulations and I want to thank you again,” he said while indicating that the Order of the Volta award he received from Kufuor in 2008 was also a morale booster.

In his remarks, Kufour indicated that there is the need for government to support the private sector to thrive as no government could develop a country without such collaborative efforts.

“I do not know anywhere on earth where poverty has been used to cure poverty. You need to create the wealth to be able to help the not-so-privileged. You need to be able to have the wealth to fix the safety net. For equality of opportunity, give education to people, do as Jospong is doing – cleaning all the firth that sometimes piles to the levels of skyscrapers.

“When Jospong came with this whole initiative, engaging so many young people to clean our neighborhood, we were startled and said this is what should be happening. It was an integral part of the vision and policy of my government. That the government should partner the private sector to do all the jobs society needs to be done for it,” he said.

The event held at the forecourt of the Zoomlion Ghana Headquarters at Adenta in Accra, had representatives of other companies, including state officials. This year’s edition was also used to honour former President Kufuor as he celebrated his 79th birthday.