Aid Isn’t Working For Ghana; Asantehene Tells UK Trade Envoy
The Monarch of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has opted for partnership over aid as he observes that the latter is not effective and sustainable for economic growth and development.
His Majesty is therefore advocating for strategic and enhanced partnerships between the companies in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ghana.
“We have to position ourselves in a way Ghana and Africa can benefit in terms of trade…There is no point in handouts and aids. It doesn’t work for us. Partnerships are what we are looking for,” the King told the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Ghana, Bell Ribeiro-Addy.
Enlightening the envoy, Otumfuo highlighted Agriculture, industry, mining and infrastructure as viable sectors of the Ghanaian economy where collaborations could be forged for mutual benefits.
“British investors can collaborate in infrastructure development. We can have a company from Britain coming to construct a road in Kumasi and collect the toll, which will benefit us and benefit the company in Britain also.”
“That will also help in infrastructure development because Kumasi is the centre, and agricultural produce is conveyed between Accra and the North. Railway development, for example, is also something under infrastructure development.”
“Areas like agriculture for export is open to investors. We have the land and personnel…All these are areas where we can consider when talking about trade so we collaborate and fashion a plan that will inure to the benefit of our two countries.”
UK Good Not Good Enough
Acknowledging the support of the UK over the years, His Majesty emphasised that there was room for more.
“Britain was formerly our colonial master, but now there is friendship. Your good has not been good enough to us, and we expect collaboration in building our two countries together.”
Ghana Worth Investing In
The Asantehene further touted Ghana projecting the West African country Ghana as the ideal sub-Saharan nation for investment.
His Majesty underscored peace and security in the country.
“It’s a country worth investing in. In the midst of the turbulence in West Africa, Ghana is a country that is more stable to secure your investments. Any investor coming in is assured his investment is safe.”
Expectation
In His Majesty’s closing remarks, the King made known his expectations from Ribeiro-Addy.
“We have vast areas we can look at that will be mutually beneficial to our people. In this position I expect more from you and I’m sure you will be able to do it in terms of fashioning a programme for us.”
Acknowledging the mandate of the envoy who was appointed in January 2025, Otumfuo encouraged her to make the development of Ghana a part of her priority.
“You being the trade envoy from Britain, you are here to solicit for trading so that you can enhance yours. What do you do for me here also? You, as a person, as you think about Britain, I want you to think about me also…We look forward to a partnership that can develop our economy and country.”
Boosting Ghana-UK Trade Relations
In her speech, she couldn’t agree more with the King about the viable investment sectors in Ghana.
Her principal objective, she said, was to increase the export of Ghanaian agricultural products to the European country.
“I’m looking at ways in which Ghanaian companies can bring more agricultural produce to the UK…There are so many opportunities and we look forward to working across this region and across this country to achieve those aims.”
She committed to engaging UK companies to invest in Ghana.
“As you said, Ghana offers a high level of stability. Anybody that chooses to invest in Ghana is making a very wise decision. As you have taught, I will go back to spread.”
The Envoy was at the Manhyia Palace on May 20, 2025, as part of her four-day visit to Ghana.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
