From bus axle breakdowns to lintel-level homes: Mahama’s cautionary tale on trust in business

President John Mahama spoke at the Kwahu Business Forum on April 19. He shared a personal story about a failed family business. This story highlighted the importance of trust in business.

Mahama recalled buying a bus for a relative's transport venture. He hoped it would ease financial pressure from his parliamentary salary. Unfortunately, the experience became regrettable and taught him valuable lessons about trust and responsibility.

He explained that he entrusted the bus to a driver. The driver overloaded the bus, causing frequent breakdowns and costly repairs. "The axle broke down, and it was the most regrettable experience in my life," Mahama said.

He noted that repairing the bus cost him more than expected. "Anytime the bus broke down, they came to me for repairs," he added.

To make matters worse, the driver began building a house with money from the poorly managed business. This house remains incomplete even today.

Mahama eventually decided to sell the bus after years of trouble. "Since I sold it, that building has only reached lintel level," he stated.

His story responded to Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin's point about business failures. Afenyo-Markin emphasized that many businesses fail due to untrustworthy employees or partners.

Mahama agreed, stating that finding trusted people is crucial for entrepreneurs. He mentioned that some owners hire foreign managers because they distrust local hires.

This situation reflects poorly on Ghana's human resources, he said. Mahama urged participants to prioritize integrity and loyalty in their businesses.

"If you want to suck your pound of flesh out of a business and kill it, no industry will grow," he warned.

The audience reacted with laughter and agreement, recognizing common challenges faced by Ghanaian businesses.