James Gardiner says he now knows a business will thrive with strangers and not family

Ghanaian actor James Gardiner has clarified a social media post he made on his birthday that has generated conversations.

According to him, he had no intention to point fingers at anyone but only sought to complain about how people he had known did not support his pub.

Speaking in an interview with Doreen Avio on the set of actress Kafui Danku’s upcoming movie titled ‘Fear Women’, the actor said he wished those who came to his aid were those who were close to him.

“I wasn’t calling people out, I was only complaining about people not supporting my pub. I feel I have come to know that for a business to thrive, it’s not family but the people you do not know. I just wished the ones close to me and who have a good relationship with me would be the ones to show me love,” he said.

He also stated he had done everything possible but all to no avail, hence the post made was a means of reflecting on his past works.

“This was me just lamenting and yelling out to say I can’t call everybody because I did everything that I could and we’ve done everything by inviting people, bloggers but there’s only so much gas left in everyone and you cannot keep going. At some point, you are going to run out of gas so I was just reflecting on how work has been.”

He further mentioned Ghana as a very difficult place to set up a business.

“Opening a business here in Ghana is very tough, let alone people not patronizing. It’s not a pleasant feeling having to invest in something and not making anything in return. This is our fourth year and it has been very tough,” he stated.

He stated the reason for the post was to let go of some things he has kept to himself while highlighting some negative feedback he received.

“My friends were surprised because I don’t even talk and I feel I have been keeping a lot of things inside for far too long and I just wanted to bring it out. I saw a lot of people say I was looking for sympathy but it was none of that. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and just because I know what I meant by that, it didn’t get to me,” he added.