Asantehene got World Bank to restore two major educational projects - NAPO

Minister of Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has disclosed that Otumfuo’s timely intervention got the World Bank to reverse a decision to cancel two major educational projects when the NPP assumed the reigns of power in 2017.

According to Dr Prempeh, who was then the Education Minister, the two projects – the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP), which is a five-year project to improve the quality of education in low-performing basic education schools and strengthen education sector equity and accountability in Ghana, and the Jobs and Skills Project, which seeks to support skills development and job creation in Ghana, came under threat as the World Bank Group decided to cancel the projects.

However, the intervention of Otumfuo compelled the World Bank to rescind the decision to cancel the projects, leading to the restoration of the GALOP money of about $200 million and subsequently the jobs and skills money of about $200 million.

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

A delegation from multi-function entity E ON 3 Group and its key partners were at the Energy Minister’s office to make the presentation.



Value

Dr Prempeh said the honour of presenting the gold coin was a testament to the value the nation placed on the contribution of Otumfuo Osei Tutu 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.

Investment

The Energy Minister stressed the need for Ghanaians to invest in the Otumfuo commemorative gold coin when it goes into sale to the public.

Explaining, he said gold is a store of value, and since the commemorative gold coin has official authorisation, investing in it holds good for anyone who purchased it.

“It is always good to store your money in gold and I will encourage every able Ghanaian willing, and with the resources, to have this value stored for you.

“You buy it today and I’m sure in five years it is going to appreciate,” he stated.

“We are looking forward to you selling the gold coin so that we can also purchase some,” Dr Prempeh added.

From wars to education

Taking a journey into history, Dr Prempeh said the tradition of Asante had moved from warmongers to peacemaking, 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.