I can’t remain silent when government policies are not helping the private sector – Mcdan

The CEO of McDan Group, Dr. Daniel McKorley, widely known as McDan, has defended his recent criticism of the government’s economic policies, insisting that he cannot remain silent when private sector growth is being stifled.

McDan’s comments follow backlash from top NPP figures, including Gabby Otchere-Darko and former Deputy Minister for Works and Housing, Eugene Boakye Antwi, after he spoke at the Ghana CEO-Presidential Gala Dinneron November 7, 2024.

McDan’s Bold Critique of Government Policies

At the event, McDan publicly criticized the government for its failure to support the private sector, stating:

“I will be very blunt; government policies have really not helped the private sector. That is where we are sitting right now, and we have to be frank about it.”

He further emphasized the challenges of doing business in Ghana, stating that entrepreneurs must be resilient to succeed.

“If you want to do business in Ghana, you have to be prepared. Being a Ghanaian doing business in Ghana, you have to be brave.”

Gabby Otchere-Darko Expresses Shock

McDan’s remarks did not sit well with Gabby Otchere-Darko, a key NPP strategist. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Gabby expressed astonishment, highlighting that McDan had benefited significantly from the government’s support.

“I am perplexed! This is from an entrepreneur who enjoyed the full support of govt to own the largest salt concession in Africa, with the capacity to produce some $2bn of salt annually; a project that for 45 years various govts failed to commercialize. Aghast!”

NPP’s Eugene Boakye Antwi Joins the Criticism

Adding to the controversy, Eugene Boakye Antwi, a former deputy minister, accused McDan of being ungrateful to the NPP government.

He claimed that McDan, despite not being a card-bearing NPP member, had benefited from over $200 million in government contracts since 2017—far more than many loyal NPP businessmen.

McDan’s Response: “Gabby Twisted My Words”

In a recent interview on Oyerapa TV, McDan clarified his remarks, stating that his words were taken out of context.

“Gabby twisted what I said. The host asked me, ‘As a big businessman, has government policy helped your business?’ And I said no. In my 30 years as an entrepreneur, government policies have never helped the private sector.”

McDan further emphasized that he was not attacking the NPP government but rather calling for better policies to support entrepreneurs.

“What I did was to highlight that some ministers are not listening to the private sector. So, Gabby just picked a part of my speech and twisted it.”

McDan: “I Will Always Speak the Truth”

McDan stood by his statements, arguing that holding the government accountable is necessary for economic growth.

“If a policy is not good for the private sector, should I be selfish just because I have benefited? No! We need to criticize what is wrong. We have to help politicians to put in the right policies.”

He also revealed that Vice President Bawumia was present when he made his comments, reinforcing that his remarks were made in good faith.

Conclusion

McDan’s remarks have sparked a heated debate on government-private sector relations, with some supporting his bold stance on economic policies while others see it as disloyalty to the NPP. Regardless, his call for better government policies to support Ghanaian entrepreneurs remains a critical issue in the country’s economic discourse.