According to him, government’s decision to sign up for a bailout from the International Monitory Fund (IMF) should be explained to Ghanaians because it has a direct effect on the life of the ordinary Ghanaian.
“When explanations are made, Ghanaians will understand the need to endure short-term hardships with the hope of relief in the long term,” he said.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II made the remarks when President John Dramani Mahama called on him on Wednesday June 29 at his Manhyia Palace on the second day of his Accounting to the People tour in the Ashanti Region.
“With the IMF bailout, you need to be silent on some of the arrangements, but there is the need to explain some of the agreement to Ghanaians, for example, over why utility tariffs have gone up, and that if there is no short-term hardship, we may not be able to meet certain conditionalities to make the programme a success. Explain to Ghanaians to understand the situation as you continue on your tour,” he stated.
The Asantehene also said his doors were open to any political leader that needed his advice and urged political parties to maintain the peace before, during, and after the elections.
“You have promised, just as Nana Akufo-Addo has, that if there will be violence, it will not come from your camp. We are yet to meet the other parties as well. What we are telling the political parties is, during your campaigns and rally, tell the electorate what you can do for them to bring development and progress to the country. Campaigns are not about insults or quarrels. Ghanaians want progress and development. My message to all political parties is that the peace of the country is paramount to the Asantehene. … If we have all agreed to go the way of democracy, then let us unite to abide by the rules that govern democratic states. If we realise there is one Ghana, we will all contribute to help maintain the peace and develop the nation,” he said.
“I am available to offer advice to you anytime you call on me, just as I did during the time of former President Rawlings, Kufuor, and Atta Mills for the development of the nation.”
President Mahama expressed gratitude to the Asantehene for intervening to make the IMF deal a success for Ghana. He said the deal would have been unsuccessful had Otumfuo not been involved.
Meanwhile, in an address at the Kumasi Central Mosque, President John Dramani Mahama has stated that his administration has performed creditably in terms of developments, for which reason the NDC needs to be commended rather than being condemned.
The President stressed that the NDC, as ruling political party has never discriminated in the sharing of the national cake.
He said the government would share the national cake and development equally, irrespective of the political inclination of a particular area and people.
The NDC Presidential candidate assured that the government would not be selective in terms of the provision of infrastructural facilities, whether an area voted for the NDC or not, as some chiefs claim.
He indicated that, the evidence are there for all Ghanaians irrespective of one’s political leanings to see and underscored that when it comes to socio-economic, infrastructural development like Water, Health, Education, Roads and electricity, the NDC government has performed creditably for the past three years.
Alhaji Umaru Farouq, Sarikin Zongo of Kumasi, on behalf of Council of Zongo Chiefs commended the president and the government for the good policies and that such “good policies” have helped the Moslem pilgrims to Mecca.
The Zongo chief noted that the construction of a community Library, the Asawase market and town roads tarred by the government has been a huge relief for the people in the Asawase, Aboabo and other Zongo communities.
He pleaded with the government to see to the construction of the Aboabo drainage to relieve residents of their plight during flooding in the rainy season.
The Sarikin Zongo also reminded President Mahama that there abound many scholars in the Zongo communities but they have no jobs and entreated the government to consider them in ministerial, Ambassadorial and other portfolios as a way of empowering Zongo constituents to contribute to nation building.