'It's good for the President to visit projects himself' - Otumfuo to Akufo-Addo

Ruler of the Asante Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has cautioned President Akufo-Addo not to act on all reports from his appointees without independent verification.

According to the Asantehene, leaders might be misled by trustworthy officials who only give favorable feedback.

He, therefore, admonished the President to regularly visit key projects to access first-hand information on the progress of work.

The Asantehene believes regular visits to project sites will help the President to accurately update himself on the state of progress.

Through such visits, appropriate decisions will be taken to the benefit of the people and government.

“It is good for the President to visit the projects himself. If you listen to reports from the people, they will always deliver the positives. But if you visit the projects, you will see the negatives and make necessary changes”, he said.

The Asantehene however wants the President to ensure development in the Ashanti Region by delivering on his mandate.

“Ashanti Region has seen some development in your term. We are trusting you to complete the outstanding ones”, he added.

The comments by the Asantehene follow a courtesy call by the President as part of his tour of the Ashanti Region.

President Nana Akufo-Addo on his part indicated the government’s commitment to ensuring every region gets its fair share of the national cake.

“We haven’t been able to deliver on all the promises but we are doing well. In the area of roads, there have been massive improvements. There were delays at the Boakra inland port but we have found solutions so we will start soon”, he emphasized.

As part of the visit, the President inspected the progress of work at the Kumasi Airport.

The upgrade of the airport to international status is 77 percent complete and is expected to be completed by August next year.

Project Consultant, Nana Ametepe, said the existing airport building would be demolished when the new edifice is completed.