Asantehene Calls for Accelerated Development Projects in Kumasi: Urges World Bank Collaboration.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has made a passionate appeal for stronger collaboration between the World Bank and the Manhyia Palace to accelerate key development projects in the Ashanti Region. Speaking at a high-profile meeting on Friday, January 10, 2025, with World Bank officials at the Manhyia Palace, the Asantehene expressed his dissatisfaction with prolonged delays in implementing major projects, including the much-anticipated Kumasi Rapid Transport Project and initiatives addressing Ghana’s soaring energy costs.
Highlighting the economic importance of Kumasi, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II described the city as Ghana’s commercial hub and stressed the need for modern infrastructure to support its growth. He particularly emphasised the urgency of completing the 28-kilometre rapid transport line from Ejisu to Abuakwa.
“Kumasi’s increasing population and congestion are costing the economy dearly. The rapid transport line will ease this burden by facilitating the movement of goods and passengers, while also creating much-needed employment opportunities,” the Asantehene noted.
The project, first initiated under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) nearly a decade ago, has faced bureaucratic hurdles despite subsequent involvement by the World Bank. The Asantehene criticised the centralised management of such projects from Accra, calling for decentralisation to boost efficiency and speed up implementation.
“We cannot continue running projects for Kumasi from Accra. This approach is slowing progress. If this project had been implemented earlier, the benefits in terms of employment and economic growth would have been immense,” he stated.
The Asantehene also stressed the importance of local involvement in development initiatives. “I cannot depend on politicians for development; I don’t want to depend on politicians. Let’s have a social contract and implement these projects as a community,” he emphasised.
Touching on Ghana’s energy sector, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II expressed concern over the financial burden posed by excess energy payments. He revealed that Ghana currently spends approximately $1.5 billion annually on unused energy, a significant increase from the $500–$600 million reported in 2019.
“It’s time we revisit this issue and explore solutions like exporting excess energy to Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Mali,” he suggested.
The Asantehene also referenced previous funding cuts that affected critical programmes, including the withdrawal of $180 million for school feeding and $500 million for budgetary support in 2019. He urged stakeholders to address these issues to ensure Ghana maximises its developmental potential.
The World Bank delegation, led by Ousmane Diagana, Vice President for Western and Central Africa, assured the Asantehene of the institution’s continued commitment to supporting Ghana’s development. The team, which included Country Director Robert Taliercio and specialists in urban development, energy, and transport, expressed gratitude to the Asantehene for his visionary leadership and guidance.
Mr. Diagana reaffirmed the World Bank’s determination to work closely with local stakeholders to expedite critical projects in Kumasi and beyond.
The meeting, which was attended by officials from the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, underscored the need for collaborative solutions to fast-track Kumasi’s transformation. With the Asantehene’s call for a community-driven approach and decentralised project management, there is hope that Kumasi’s economic and social landscape will soon see significant improvement.
The Asantehene’s appeal serves as a reminder of the urgency of prioritising development projects that directly impact the lives of citizens, ensuring that Kumasi remains a vibrant hub of economic growth in Ghana.