Help me tackle dire economic situation – Mahama appeals to Otumfuo
President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to use his acclaimed influence to help the government address the dire economic challenges confronting the country.
Taking a journey into the past, the President said the Asantehene provided a similar support which helped his ( Mahama’s) first government to overcome some of the macroeconomic challenges it faced and expressed confidence that Otumfuo will again come to the rescue of the nation.
Speaking when he joined Asanteman to celebrate the first Akwasidae of the year at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Sunday, January 19, the President said, Ghana is going through dire economic difficulties, which requires Otumfuo’s intervention to address.
Economic crisis
He stated: “Our nation Ghana is facing a dire economic crisis. While this is not the first time we have been in such a crisis, this particular crisis is characterised by a high rate of inflation, macroeconomic instability, a depreciating currency, and a debt default which has shut us out of the international credit market. It is a more daunting challenge than we have ever experienced in our history,” he said,
Otumfuo’s support
Emphasising the critical need of the King’s intervention, the President said, “Your Royal Majesty, as President between 2013 and 2017, we faced macroeconomic instability and I remember some of the times we had obstacles in our way of bringing stability to our economy and restoring economic growth.”
He added: “I had the privilege of calling on you to use your influence and diplomacy to smoothen the path so that it could open up the path towards prosperity and progress and anytime I called on you, you didn’t hesitate.
“I want to publicly state that, some of the economic progress we achieved at the time was due to the work that you did. And I would like to thank you for your cooperation I enjoyed with you at that time. I will be calling on you again from time to time and I know that anytime I call on you, you will not hesitate so that we work together to put our nation back on its feet.”
Development
President Mahama assured Otumfuo that his government will complete abandoned projects in the region including the Sewua Regional Hospital and the Afari Military hospital. “I am aware that Otumfuo has in recent times, complained about lack of development in the region. I will work with you to complete the Sewua regional hospital, the Afari military hospital and other uncompleted projects in your kingdom,” he assured Otumfuo.
Election victory
President Mahama mentioned the invaluable support the Ashanti Region gave the NDC in the last general elections. “I want to use this opportunity to thank Asanteman. Many might not consider this the stronghold of my party, but in this election, I believe that the confidence and the votes that the Ashanti Region gave us contributed to the overwhelming victory that I scored,” Mr Mahama stated.
Otumfuo grateful
Speaking on behalf of Otumfuo, the Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, expressed appreciation to the President for his interest in the development of Asanteman. He was confident that President Mahama will continue to do even more for Asanteman.
