Well-Guided Public–Private Partnerships Key to National Growth – Prof. Baah Boateng

By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi

Vice Chancellor of the Methodist University Ghana (MUG), Prof. William Baah Boateng, has stressed that Ghana’s long-term economic transformation hinges on the country’s ability to build well-structured, accountable and mutually beneficial public–private partnerships (PPPs). He said sustainable development in the modern economy requires seamless collaboration between the public sector, private businesses, and academia, guided by strong governance frameworks that ensure transparency, efficiency and public value.

Speaking at the 10th Ghana Corporate Executives Awards held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra over the weekend, Prof. Baah Boateng argued that properly designed PPPs can serve as “vehicles for trust, efficiency, and sustainable impact,” especially at a time when the government faces fiscal constraints and rising development demands.

He noted that PPPs offer an opportunity to deliver infrastructure and critical services without resting the entire financial burden on the state. “A working PPP will promote job creation, technology transfer and sustainable development, emphasising that the private sector brings innovation and operational efficiency, while the public sector ensures regulatory legitimacy and safeguards the wider public interest,” he stated.

Prof. Baah Boateng further observed that Ghana’s infrastructure gap underscores the urgent need for innovative financing partnerships. The country currently scores 47 out of 100 on infrastructure quality, about 10 points below the lower-middle-income average and invests roughly 5 percent of GDP in infrastructure, compared to peers that invest around 5.4 percent. This, he said, reflects a clear need to mobilise private capital through well-designed PPPs that deliver value for money.

The Ghana Corporate Executives Awards, organised by the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana (EFG), celebrates corporate leaders who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation and sustained impact within the business community. This year’s edition honoured executives who have built strong institutional legacies and contributed significantly to Ghana’s corporate and economic landscape over the past decade.

Also speaking at the ceremony, policy consultant and Professor of Strategy at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Prof. Kwaku Appiah-Adu, reinforced the call for closer state–private sector collaboration. He described PPPs as essential instruments for national transformation in the 21st century, noting that governments across the world are increasingly relying on private-sector dynamism to accelerate growth.

“No government, however visionary, can single-handedly deliver inclusive development. While the private sector thrives in environments with policy clarity and stability, the public sector equally depends on private creativity, capital and efficiency to drive innovation and growth,” he said.

In all, about 20 corporate executives received the “Most Influential Corporate Leader of the Decade Award.” Honourees included investment banker and former SSNIT Director-General, Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang; former National Identification Authority Executive Secretary, Prof. Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah; Dr. Fareed Arthur, Executive Director of the Intra-Africa Trade Capacity Centre; Mr. Frederick Adotey Saka, CEO of Vanguard Assurance; Dr. Edward Nartey Botchway, Managing Director of Absa Bank Ghana; and Mr. Sylvester Adinam Mensah, CEO of Ghana Exim Bank.

Other recipients were Mr. Julius Neequaye Kotey, CEO of DVLA; Dr. Toni Aubynn, CEO of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation; Dr. Philip Oti-Mensah, Managing Director of UMB Bank; Chief Dr. Doliwura Zakaria, MD of National Investment Bank; Mr. James Agyenim-Boateng, MD of SIC Insurance; and Mr. Adedamola Adelabu, CEO of CFAO Mobility Ghana.

Additional honourees included Madam Fatima Alimohammed, CEO of African Brand Warrior; Mr. Andrew Akoto, Country Managing Partner of KPMG; Mr. Victor Yaw Asante, MD of FirstBank Ghana; Mr. Uzoechina Molokwu, MD of UBA Ghana; Dr. Alexander Asmah, CEO of Amenfiman Rural Bank; Mr. Michael Abbiw, CEO of MGA Consulting; and Mr. Solomon Lartey, CEO of Africa Sureties and Insurance Advisory.

The ceremony concluded with Prof. Kwaku Appiah-Adu receiving the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award 2025, recognising his decades-long contribution to public policy, corporate strategy, and national development.