Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has called on leaders across the continent to deepen economic integration and strengthen intra-African trade, warning that failure to act decisively could leave the region vulnerable in an increasingly volatile global order.
Speaking at the 58th Special Congregation of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the monarch cautioned that shifting geopolitical alignments—driven by the ambitions of rival global powers—should prompt African nations to reevaluate their dependence on the West and instead invest in collaborative growth strategies rooted in regional resources and talent.
“With the world in flux and superpowers realigning, Africa cannot afford to stand idle,” the Asantehene said. “We must harness our own natural and human capital to unlock our growth potential. Africa must come first.”
He underscored the strategic role of African universities in laying the foundation for long-term economic independence, highlighting their capacity to cultivate the skilled workforce required to drive innovation and industrial development.
“We have the knowledge. We have the people. Our challenge now is to mobilize these strengths toward producing what we need locally and sustainably,” he said. “If we continue to rely on the so-called developed world, especially in times of global uncertainty, we risk entrenching our economic vulnerability.”
Referencing ongoing discussions around South-South cooperation, including recent engagements between Ghana and Eswatini—the Asantehene emphasized that stronger continental trade and intergovernmental collaboration are critical to transforming Africa into a competitive economic bloc.
Turning his attention to domestic priorities, the Asantehene appealed to Ghana’s government to fast-track the stalled KNUST Teaching Hospital project. The facility, which has long been under construction, is intended to serve as a key training center for medical professionals, complementing the existing Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
“This hospital is dear to me, not just because of its symbolic importance, but because of its functional value to the university and the nation,” he said. “We cannot afford delays when it comes to strengthening our medical education infrastructure.”
Addressing Ghana’s Vice President directly, he urged the administration to treat the project with urgency. “Madam Vice President, please relay to His Excellency the President that this initiative must be seen through to completion—without further delay.”
The Asantehene’s remarks come amid growing calls across Africa for greater regional integration, particularly in light of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single market for goods and services across the continent.
Source:TheDotNews