Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has commended the First Sky Group for its contribution to national development and reaffirmed Government's commitment to supporting capable Ghanaian-owned companies to drive economic growth. He emphasized that strengthening indigenous enterprises is critical to increasing the country's Gross National Product (GNP), which measures the value of goods and services produced by citizens, as opposed to focusing solely on Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to Ghana News Agency, the President made these remarks at an interdenominational thanksgiving service held in Accra to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the First Sky Group. The event, themed 'Proclaiming the Mighty Deeds of the Lord' (Psalm 71:15-16), was attended by clergy, government officials, business executives, and staff of the Group.
President Mahama highlighted the importance of deliberate support for competent indigenous companies to ensure that national development benefits Ghanaians. He recalled that during his previous administration, priority was given to qualified local construction firms for Government-funded projects, which led to the growth of several Ghanaian companies to international standards. First Sky Group was cited as a beneficiary of that policy, recognized for its reliability and commitment to quality delivery.
The President also praised the Group for diversifying into sectors such as hospitality, commodities, energy, and insurance, noting that this expansion has created jobs and strengthened the local economy. On healthcare, President Mahama acknowledged the Group's philanthropic support for dialysis treatment and kidney transplants, describing it as complementary to the Government's Mahama CARE initiative. This initiative has allocated GHS2.1 billion to support the treatment of non-communicable diseases, including stroke, kidney failure, and cancer.
President Mahama attributed Ghana's recent economic recovery to divine grace, mentioning reduced inflation, appreciation of the cedi, and improved fiscal performance. Mr. Eric Seddy Kutortse, Executive Chairman of First Sky Group, delivered the welcome address at the event, stating that the company's 23-year journey has been sustained by God's grace. He emphasized the Group's focus on job creation and national development, employing over 6,000 people nationwide and operating in various sectors.
Mr. Kutortse announced that First Sky Energies would complete a 50-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant in Yendi, Northern Region, by the end of March. This project is described as the first fully Ghanaian-owned utility-scale solar project, expected to supply power to the national grid and create over 300 jobs. Additionally, the Group has committed over GHS51 million in the past eight years to support dialysis patients at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and sponsored six kidney transplants last year.
Reverend Alex Sujith of the Thames North Assemblies of God, United Kingdom, also addressed the gathering, urging Christians to adopt thanksgiving as a lifestyle and delivering messages of peace, unity, and hope for the nation and the First Sky Group.