“James Gardiner Realizes Business Success Often Comes from Strangers, Not Family”

Ghanaian actor James Gardiner has addressed the recent discussions surrounding a social media post he made on his birthday. He clarified that he had no intention of calling anyone out but was merely expressing his frustration over the lack of support for his pub.

In an interview with Doreen Avio, on the set of Kafui Danku’s upcoming film ‘Fear Women,’ Gardiner explained, “I wasn’t trying to point fingers at anyone. I was simply voicing my disappointment about the absence of support from people I’ve known. I’ve come to realize that, for a business to succeed, it often relies more on strangers than on family. I just hoped that those close to me, with whom I share a good relationship, would be the ones showing support.”

He acknowledged his efforts to promote the pub, stating, “I’ve done everything I could, but it feels like I’ve hit a wall. We’ve tried inviting people and engaging bloggers, but there’s only so much energy one can put into it before feeling drained. My post was a reflection on how challenging this journey has been.”

Gardiner also highlighted the difficulties of starting a business in Ghana. “Running a business here is incredibly tough, and the lack of patronage adds to the challenge. It’s disheartening to invest in something and not see a return. This is our fourth year, and it has been a real struggle,” he shared.

He added that posting about his feelings was a way to release emotions he had kept bottled up for too long, especially after receiving some negative feedback. “My friends were surprised because I usually don’t share much. I felt the need to express what I’ve been holding in. While some interpreted my post as a plea for sympathy, that wasn’t my intention. Everyone is entitled to their perspective; I know what I meant, and it hasn’t affected me,” he concluded.