Kumasi, Aug. 15, GNA - Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has appealed to the World Bank to be more supportive of Ghana's fight to reduce poverty and create wealth for its people.
He said given the dependence of the country's economy on agriculture, it was vital for the bank to assist develop the sector to give jobs to the people, especially the youth, and also to achieve national food security.
The Asantehene said this when Mr Javed Talat, World Bank Executive Director for Ghana, paid a courtesy call on him at his Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
He is in the country to discuss strategic areas of collaboration between the Bank and Ghana Government to strengthen investments in the areas of infrastructure and local governance.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu highlighted the need for the Bank to assist the research institutions of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to anchor the nation's socio-economic progress through the application of science and technology. He used the occasion to convey his deep appreciation to the Bank for the over four-million-dollar grant it gave to the Asanteman towards the implementation of the community-based rural development project.
The facility has significantly helped to improve education and health in the Ashanti Region.
Under the project, 42 classroom blocks have been constructed together with sanitation facilities.
Mr Talat commended the Asantehene for his visionary leadership and contribution to the promotion of education and health of the people. He pledged the Bank's continued support to the country's development efforts to improve the quality of life of the people. He said his team would work to sustain the bond of co-operation between the bank and Ghana.
Mr Talat also represents the World Bank in other African and Middle East countries including Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Pakistan, Iran and Aghanistan.
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