Founder of the All People’s Congress, Hassan Ayariga, urged the government to safeguard Ghana’s strategic national assets and increase local participation in major foreign investment deals during a Founder’s Day message that paid tribute to the country’s first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Addressing the occasion, Ayariga highlighted the need for a broader conversation on building robust institutions, creating opportunities for citizens, and protecting national interests as Ghana pursues economic development.
“As a founder, entrepreneur, and public servant, I believe that true leadership is not measured simply by what we achieve for ourselves, but by the opportunities we create for others and the legacy we leave behind,” he said.
While acknowledging the role of foreign direct investment in providing capital, technology and employment, Ayariga warned against arrangements that could grant foreign investors excessive control over strategic national assets such as lands, natural resources, businesses and other key holdings.
He cautioned that “our lands and natural resources are not merely assets of today; they are an inheritance that must also serve generations yet unborn.”
The APC founder called for greater transparency in public‑private partnership agreements involving strategic assets, insisting that such deals should be subject to parliamentary and public scrutiny. He also proposed policy measures to ensure meaningful Ghanaian participation, including enforceable commitments on job creation, skills development and technology transfer.
In addition, Ayariga urged the government to enact policies that strengthen Ghanaian‑owned businesses so they can compete and grow alongside international investors rather than remain on the sidelines of major development initiatives.
His remarks form part of wider Founder’s Day discussions on economic independence, self‑reliance and national development. The day, observed on September 21, was declared a statutory public holiday for 2026 by the Ministry of the Interior.
Concluding his message, Ayariga stressed that “Ghana’s future must never be given away,” calling for national policy that protects long‑term interests while remaining open to international investment.
