Celebrating the Pillar of Peace: How Otumfuo Got World Bank to Release $400M

As E ON 3 Group and its key partners celebrate the quintessential reign of the 16th Monarch of the Asante Kingdom on the occasion of his Silver Jubilee on the Golden Stool, the multipurpose business group brings back memories of the role His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II played in restoring two significant educational projects by the World Bank.

According to Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the current Energy Minister who at the time was in charge of the Education sector, the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP) and the Jobs and Skills Project with funding from the World Bank were cancelled.

However, the intervention of Otumfuo compelled the Bank to rescind the decision, releasing $400 million for both projects immediately.

“This is the extraordinary traditional ruler we are celebrating through this commemorative gold coin,” Dr Prempeh, popularly called Napo said when he received a piece of the Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin at his office on February 22, 2022.

From Wars to Education
Taking a journey into history, Dr Prempeh said the tradition of Asante had moved from warmongers to peacemaker, and from the battlefield to the classroom.

“From Prempeh I to Opoku Ware II to Osei Tutu II, the battle cry has been education,” he stated.

Value
Dr Prempeh said the honour of presenting the gold coin was a testament to the value the nation placed on the contribution of the globally acclaimed King to national development.

“Thank you for putting your good name on a good cause,” Dr Prempeh told the E ON 3 Group and its partners.

About the Educational Projects
The Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP), was a five-year project aimed at improving the quality of education in low-performing basic education schools and strengthening education sector equity and accountability in Ghana.

Meanwhile, the Jobs and Skills Project seeks to support skills development and job creation in Ghana.