The recent demolition of business structures belonging to renowned Ghanaian entrepreneur Dr. Daniel McKorley, popularly known as McDan, has ignited widespread concern across Ghana’s business and investment communities. The sheer scale and seeming vindictiveness of this action suggest something far deeper than just regulatory enforcement. It hints at political witch-hunting cloaked in officialdom.
This isn’t merely about buildings. It’s about principle, precedent, and the protection of enterprise. McDan is not just a businessman. He is a national asset. His investments across logistics, aviation, mining, agriculture, and community development have created thousands of jobs and added immense value to the Ghanaian economy. When such a figure is publicly targeted, it sends a chilling message to all current and aspiring businesspeople: success in Ghana comes with a price, and sometimes that price is politically motivated destruction.
The excuse offered by National Security, that McDan’s warehouses are a hazard to aviation operations, crumbles under scrutiny. In the same enclave stand taller and older buildings, including places of worship and commercial towers. Why are those untouched? Why now? And why McDan?
Such inconsistencies breed only one conclusion. This is less about public safety and more about settling scores. When political operatives, emboldened by proximity to power, begin to flex state institutions to advance personal vendettas, our democracy and our economy both suffer. Raymond Archer’s thinly veiled threats in the past are now manifesting in troubling, targeted actions. We must call this what it is: abuse of power under the guise of regulation.
It is imperative that President John Dramani Mahama steps in to assert leadership. As the face of a party seeking renewed trust from Ghanaians, he must dissociate himself from acts that undermine business confidence. Protecting Ghanaian entrepreneurs from arbitrary aggression is not partisan. It is a national obligation. If the tables were turned and a similar attack were launched against Ibrahim Mahama, would it not cause an uproar? So why should McDan be any less protected?
Each warehouse demolished was worth millions of dollars. Not to mention the human capital displaced and the ripple effect on dependent livelihoods. This is not only an attack on one man, but an assault on economic stability, job security, and investor confidence. Ghana cannot claim to be open for business while punishing the very individuals driving its private sector growth.
Let it be known. Business must not be sacrificed on the altar of political rivalry. We must not allow national institutions to be weaponized against our own patriots. The central government must launch an immediate, transparent inquiry into the demolition. Justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.
McDan deserves our collective support, not just because of who he is, but because of what he represents. The possibility of building something great in Ghana. We cannot destroy that possibility to appease personal grudges.
