The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged Ghanaians to move beyond decades of excessive partisan politics and focus on building enterprises, creating jobs and driving production to secure the country’s economic future.
Addressing the Ghana Business Leaders’ Conclave organised by University of Professional Studies, Accra in Accra on Friday, the Asantehene said Ghana could no longer afford to remain trapped in cycles of political promises and national lamentation as it approaches 70 years of independence.
“After almost 70 years, the lesson is clear. Ghana has had enough of talk. Ghana must now become a nation of builders,” he stated.
He stressed that the country’s next phase of development must be driven by enterprise, innovation and ethical business leadership rather than political slogans.
“We must move from political rhetoric to building business. We must move from slogans to production. We must move from lamentation to enterprise,” he declared.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said the coming decade should become a defining era of business growth and economic transformation, with stronger support for the private sector and increased local production.
According to him, while government has a responsibility to create the right policies and business climate, citizens, entrepreneurs and professionals must also take responsibility for innovation, job creation and adding value to Ghana’s natural resources.
The Asantehene pointed to countries such as China, India, Singapore and Vietnam as examples of nations that achieved prosperity through enterprise, technology and industrial growth.
He expressed concern that Ghana’s economy remained overly dependent on the state while the domestic private sector continued to struggle. “Stimulating the private sector must remain a national priority,” he said.
The Asantehene also challenged business leaders to uphold honesty, fairness and integrity, warning that corruption and unethical practices weaken national development.
“The honest business leader does not cut corners. He does not cheat the state and then complain that the nation is weak,” he stated.
He further encouraged young professionals and students to become problem-solvers and innovators capable of contributing meaningfully to national progress.
“If we do this, the next decade will not be another decade of lamentation. It will be a decade of enterprise, ethical leadership and builders,” he added.
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Meanwhile, Chancellor of University of Professional Studies, Accra, Dr K.K. Sarpong, underscored the importance of integrity and ethical leadership in sustaining strong institutions and businesses.
Board Chairman of GCB Bank PLC, Prof Joshua Alabi, also reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship, SMEs and innovation to drive national development.
