Why Kennedy Agyapong says Ghanaian entrepreneurs should keep family out of business

Ghanaian businessman and politician Kennedy Agyapong has advised entrepreneurs to avoid involving family members in their business operations if they want to succeed.

Speaking on the Konnected Minds Podcast, Mr Agyapong cautioned that while family ties may offer emotional comfort, they can pose serious risks to business performance and accountability.

“If you want to succeed here, especially in Ghana, don’t rely on your relatives or involve your brothers, sisters, or family members in your business—except maybe your children or wife,” he said.

Known for his blunt delivery and business acumen, Mr Agyapong explained that emotional attachments and obligations often cloud sound decision-making, making it difficult to enforce discipline and results-driven practices in family-run ventures.

He also underscored the value of self-reliance, hard work, and strategic thinking in building sustainable businesses, noting that success in Ghana’s business environment demands more than just goodwill or family support.

Mr Agyapong added that many people settle too easily, confusing contentment with a lack of ambition. “You must be willing to do more, work longer hours, and think ahead,” he said, using his own experience as an example of pushing beyond the norm to achieve financial independence.

Kennedy Agyapong, a former Member of Parliament and one-time presidential hopeful under the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has built a business empire with interests in media, real estate, and agriculture. He is widely recognised for sharing forthright views on entrepreneurship, discipline, and financial literacy.