Otumfuo influenced IMF aid to Ghana - Mahama

Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s good counseling and interventions has earned Ghana assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), President John Dramani Mahama has acknowledged at Manhyia in Kumasi. President Mahama commended Otumfuo for his invaluable support, enabling his government to achieve a lot in his developmental agenda.

Visiting the Manhyia palace, as part of his accounting to the people tour yesterday, the President revealed that it was through Otumfuo’s intervention that enabled the government to acquire the IMF support, when the economy was in difficulties and the government was finding it difficult to acquire IMF assistance.

He stressed that Otumfuo’s intervention at the IMF had actually facilitated an assistance which helped to sustain the economy. The President assured that with Kumasi being the second largest city, his government would continue to do more for the people, noting that about 70% of town roads in the region are now asphalted.

He announced that the first phase of the redevelopment of the Kejetia Lorry park market would be ready by the end of the year, while parliament approves funding for the second phase.

He explained that out of the 200 community day senior high schools, 123 have reached various stages of completion, while two have been commissioned for use in the Ashanti region, at Adugyama and Adobewura in the Ahafo Ano South and Atwima Mponua districts respectively, with the first ever 500 capacity bed of Military Hospital at Afare in the Atwima Nwabiagya districts under construction.

The President also assured Nananom that the government would do whatever it takes to maintain the prevailing peace before, during and after the elections and stressed that in the event of any chaos or violence, it would not come from him and his party.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu commended the President for the on-going accounting to the people programme, which he described as appropriate.

He, however, tasked President Mahama to take pains to explain the implications and benefits of IMF conditionalities to the understanding of the citizenry to win their support.

Otumfuo warned all the political parties to embark on clean campaign devoid of insult and the use of abusive languages and violence. He charged the leadership of the various political parties to keep their promises of clean and violent free election.