Asantehene Pledges Unflinching Support for any Ruling Gov't of Ghana

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, has pledged his unflinching support for any ruling government of the country regardless of which political party that formed that government. According to him, his duty as a traditional leader is to help the government of the day to advance the socio-economic wellbeing of the citizenry especially in the areas of job creation, provision of quality formal education and other critical social amenities. Otumfuo Osei Tutu noted therefore that he will not be distracted by any unfounded speculations peddled by sections of the society against him. Otumfuo Osei Tutu gave the assurance at the sod cutting for the construction of a gated community at Prabon in the Bosomtwe district of Ashanti. Radio Ghana�s Correspondent, Nicholas Osei-Wusu reports that the Asantehene said even though formal education remains his priority as the occupant of the Golden Stool, he will not play down on other equally important socio-economic development issues. It is for this reason that the Manhyia Palace is partnering with an Isreali investor to build the 500 apartment community while other foreign investors will soon start work on other projects at Kejetia and a Kumasi Mall at Asokwa, which are all aimed at creating more jobs for the youth. Otumfuo Osei Tutu said part of the Community, on completion, will be named after the current President of Israel in recognition of his personal interest and involvement to ensure that the project is sited in Ghana. The Asantehene charged traditional leaders to stop the wanton destruction to water bodies and the natural environment by property developers. The Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Mrs. Sharon Bar-Li, said Ashanti region and Kumasi in particular, does not need aid but investment. Mrs. Bar-Li noted that the strategic geographical location of Kumasi makes the city very critical to Ghana�s economic development agenda and therefore deserves more investment. She said the partnership between the Israeli investor and the Manhyia Palace is an indication of the faith that Israel still has in Ghana�s economic aspiration. The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Samuel Sarpong was hopeful that during and even after the project, more Ghanaians will be employed either to execute it of maintain the community to reduce the rate of joblessness. Dr. Sarpong said also that a framework for a Greater Kumasi has been completed to spread development projects and social infrastructure to the districts that share boundaries with Kumasi adding that arrangement has already been made for the construction of a ring road to connect most of these districts for improved human movement.