At The Black Heritage Network Symposium in London: Otumfuo Courts Citibank Support For Ghana’s Private Sector

Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has offered to provide a platform for Citibank, UK to support the private sector in Ghana to grow.

He noted that Ghana’s private sector still lacks the needed capital to grow, as a result of which the mantra “Private sector is the engine for growth” is becoming difficult to materialize.

Consequently, he proposed a collaboration between the Manhyia Palace, Citibank and the Asante Professionals Club to establish a special initiative to create funding to boost private sector development in Ghana. Such initiative, he noted, will create jobs for Ghanaians, create wealth and boost socio-economic development of the country.

Delivering the keynote address at the maiden Black Heritage Network Symposium held at the Citi Group UK Head office in London on August 2, 2024, Otumfuo said his proposal is not a plea for charity.

“It is not a plea for charity. It is a plea for mutual prosperity. You are aware of the potential of Ghana and the opportunities open for investment. You have before you also, a cream of highly skilled young men and women primed to take on any task. Between you, I offer the challenge of developing a vehicle that may be a landmark for private sector development. You have the assurance of the full support of the Golden Stool in this endeavour,“ he stated, “he said.

The symposium was a collaboration between Citi London’s Black Heritage Network and the Asante Professionals Club, UK.

Otumfuo spoke on the topic, “Asante Kingdom: Historical Legacy and Its Impact on Modern Economic Development”.

Economy
Touching on Ghana’s economy, the King stated, “In spite of a heritage of incredible natural and Human Resources, our economy is still wobbly, unable to generate the resources we need to provide for the well-being of the people still languishing in a poverty trap from which escape is proving almost inseparable. “This has to be a worry, especially when you consider some of the remarkable achievements of the period.“

Kufuor is extraordinary
Otumfuo praised former President Kufuor for the extraordinary role he played in shaping Ghana’s economy. “No one reflects the high achievements of the period better than the extraordinary personality who, ironically, is sharing this event with us today and please join me in paying tribute to President John Agyekum Kufuor. As far as I am aware, he stands alone, the only leader to have achieved this feat and I hope his place in history is enshrined for all time, “the Asantehene stated.