Veteran Ghanaian comedian and filmmaker, Kwaku Sintim-Misa (KSM), has expressed frustration about the challenges Ghanaian businesses face due to the demands of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

According to him, businesses attract penalties not because they are doing anything wrong, but GRA just has a way of finding gaps anyhow possible.

“Business challenges in Ghana can be very depressing. GRA will come today, and they will deal with you. Then VAT comes and they will deal with you. They will ask you questions, you will answer the best you can, but they will still find things that you could have done and didn’t do,” he lamented.

He also emphasized the difficulties faced by young people in the country, which inconveniences them in their bid to set up businesses in the country.

“Young people want to start businesses, but the system doesn’t always support them. There should be grants or consumer support to help them establish themselves. Once they succeed, they will contribute to the economy through taxes and create jobs,” he said.

KSM has also voiced concerns over the persistent challenges stifling Ghana’s economic progress, attributing them to nepotism, poor leadership, and misplaced priorities.

In a YouTube discussion, KSM lamented that the collapse of state-owned enterprises was largely due to prioritizing personal connections over competence, as well as the nation’s tendency to emphasize religion over economic development. He noted that these detrimental practices continue to hinder Ghana’s growth.

Reflecting on decisions made during the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era in the late 20th century, he explained that the government faced a critical choice: either restructure state-owned enterprises or privatize them. Ultimately, Ghana opted for privatization, selling off numerous factories and state organizations.

“There were all these state organizations, but they were not generating enough revenue. At that point, Ghana had two choices: either re-engineer the thinking and recalibrate the agenda of these institutions by appointing competent managers, or sell them off to the private sector. We chose to sell them off.

“Incidentally, most of the factories and things that we sold didn't go into the private sector per se, but mostly into the hands of pastors who established chapels. They became churches instead of factories. The factories that used to employ people are no longer there. In place of that are churches,” KSM explained.

He emphasized that the lack of job opportunities has left many young people unemployed, forcing them to turn to religious gatherings instead of actively seeking work.

“There are no longer jobs for the youth, but there are big churches and they have great programs. Monday is worship night, and Tuesday is worship congregation. Friday is Friday night service. All the youth who have been left unemployed, instead of looking for work, will go to the church and then pray for work,” he stated.