The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has urged Ghanaian businesses to prioritise sustainability, good corporate governance and responsible business practices to contribute meaningfully to the country's long-term economic development.

According to the Commission, businesses must move beyond the pursuit of profits and incorporate environmental, social and governance principles into their operations to remain competitive, attract investment and support national development.

The Director-General of the NDPC, Dr Audrey Smock Amoah, made the call at the 30th anniversary celebration of Magvlyn Industries Limited, producers of Mobile Water, held under the theme, "The Role of Ghanaian Enterprises in Advancing Sustainable National Development."

The Director-General stressed that the sustainability of Ghanaian enterprises depends not only on their profitability but also on their ability to create employment, fulfil tax obligations, embrace innovation and adopt responsible business practices.

"A profitable business is a sustainable business. Profit pays salaries, funds expansion and pays taxes," the Director-General stated.

The Commission noted that Ghana's Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework for 2026–2029 prioritises job creation, accountability and shared prosperity, making the private sector an important partner in achieving the country's development objectives.

The Director-General explained that micro, small and medium enterprises constitute a significant proportion of businesses in Ghana and play a critical role in economic growth.

However, the Commission emphasised that businesses must strengthen their governance structures, maintain transparent financial systems and comply with regulatory requirements to ensure their long-term survival.

"My advice to every enterprise: do not wait to be compelled. Good governance and ESG make you bankable," the Director-General said.

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The Director-General observed that investors increasingly assess businesses beyond their financial performance, taking into consideration their environmental impact, social responsibility and governance practices.

"Today, investors ask not only 'How much do you make?' but also 'How do you make it?'" the Director-General added.

The Commission further encouraged Ghanaian enterprises to align their operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those relating to clean water and sanitation, decent work, industrial innovation and responsible consumption.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Magvlyn Industries Limited, Magnus Nunoo, called on the government to invest in adequate waste disposal infrastructure to address the country's growing plastic pollution problem.

Nunoo argued that public education campaigns against indiscriminate littering would achieve limited results unless authorities provided sufficient waste bins in public spaces.

He stated that the lack of accessible waste disposal facilities remained a major challenge to effective sanitation management.

"The problem is that we do not have bins around. Provide bins, tell people, don't litter," he stated.

He maintained that although plastic packaging contributes to environmental pollution, the absence of adequate disposal facilities worsens the situation.

"You can't tell us, don't litter when you have not provided bins. Bins are an infrastructure," he added.

Nunoo proposed that authorities undertake a pilot project in a designated area of Accra by installing approximately 40 waste bins per kilometre and monitoring the impact on littering over a month.

He expressed confidence that providing adequate waste bins, alongside public education and enforcement, could improve sanitation.

The CEO also questioned the use of revenue generated from charges on imported plastics, suggesting that such funds should be directed towards the provision of waste disposal infrastructure.

He referred to a 10-percent charge on imported plastics, which he said could support the installation of waste bins across the country.

Nunoo further emphasised the importance of affordable access to safe drinking water, arguing that clean water should not be considered a luxury reserved for wealthy individuals.

"Clean water should not be a reserve for the rich," he said.

He also challenged the perception that sachet water is necessarily inferior to bottled water, explaining that both products are subject to the same regulatory quality standards.

According to him, maintaining quality standards in the packaged water industry is essential to protecting public health and sustaining consumer confidence.

For his part, the Board Chairman of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute Management Board, Anthony Boateng, expressed concern about the challenging operating environment facing indigenous businesses.

He identified expensive financing, energy challenges, regulatory inefficiencies and economic uncertainty as major obstacles to the growth and sustainability of Ghanaian enterprises.

Boateng explained that businesses in developed economies often benefit from greater predictability and access to affordable financing, unlike their counterparts in Ghana.

He identified affordability, accessibility and availability of capital as three critical factors influencing business growth.

"In Ghana, businesses must contend with expensive finance, energy challenges, regulatory and bureaucratic inefficiencies, and a constantly changing environment," he stated.

According to him, the ability of indigenous businesses to survive for several decades despite these challenges demonstrates resilience, innovation and adaptability.

Boateng argued that the operating difficulties confronting Ghanaian businesses make long-term survival particularly significant.

He suggested that a company operating successfully for 30 years in Ghana could have accumulated experience comparable to that of a much older enterprise operating in a more stable economic environment.

AM

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