How a chat between 2 good friends birthed the biggest Ghana business forum – Mahama recounts

For decades, the Kwahu enclave has been synonymous with the excitement, jubilation, and vibrant celebrations that typifies the Easter festivities in Ghana. Widely regarded as the undisputed hub of Easter events in Ghana, Kwahu is the go-to destination for major entertainment and homecoming activities across the country.

However, Easter in Kwahu remained largely an entertainment and tourism event until somewhere 2023, when an informal conversation between two close friends in the back of a Toyota Land Cruiser changed its trajectory.

That conversation did not seek to alter Kwahu’s established narrative, but rather to enrich its history with greater substance and significance. It focused on leveraging the area’s renowned status as the epicentre of Easter celebrations in Ghana and as the birthplace of many of the country’s most successful indigenous entrepreneurs.

This is the story of the Kwahu Business Forum, as narrated by President John Dramani Mahama. Together with his longtime friend and current Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, they conceived what has now become the premier gathering of business leaders, policymakers, and investors in the country.

Speaking at the third edition of the forum at Mpraeso Hills in the Eastern Region on Saturday, April 4, 2026, President Mahama expressed deep satisfaction that the idea hatched in the back of their vehicle had evolved into a major national platform for discussions on the economy, entrepreneurship, and national development.

“This forum was conceived at the back of a Toyota Landcruiser. Myself and my younger brother, Julius always occupied the backseat when we went on campaign. In 2023, we criss-crossed the length and breadth of this country and we were dreaming about what we could do when we get the mandate from the people of Ghana.

“We were talking about tourism and how we can improve things then the topic of Kwahu Easter came up and we talked about how we can add a business angle to it. Kwahu is easily the biggest homecoming event in the country and it came from the fact the Kwahu people are traders so often they are spread across the country. Easter is the time when they had a clear break, close their businesses and come back to greet family.

“In 2006 under President Kufuor’s reign. The late Ferdinand Ayim gave a tourist boost to the whole Easter homecoming. So we thought that it should not just be about entertainment and enjoyment. We should use the opportunity to create a forum where the business people can come, network and interact to see how they can make their businesses even better,” he recounted.

Reflecting on the maiden edition of the forum, President Mahama expressed gratitude to the prominent Kwahu business leaders who attended despite fears of possible political victimization, as the organisers were then in opposition.

He commended them for their courage, noting: “In 2024, we had the audacity to hold a Kwahu Business Forum. It was a makeshift and I remember they came and sat here. Those days it was dangerous to be identified with the opposition so it took a lot courage from them to come and be with us.”

As the forum continues to grow in stature and national importance, President Mahama has unveiled ambitious plans to elevate it further and transform it into a major driver of development for the Kwahu enclave.

"We want to take this whole thing a step further. We are working with Metalex and Trasacco to build a permanent convention, conference and exhibition center on this site," he said.

"We want to have an airstrip here so that flights can come in, both domestically and people from outside who want to come and attend conferences," he stated.