Asantehene got the World Bank to Restore two major educational projects – NAPO

Otumfuo’s intervention compelled the World Bank to rescind the decision to cancel the projects, resulting in the release of the $200 million

Energy Minister, 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 New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration assumed office in January 2017.

Dr Prempeh, who was then the education minister, stated that the two projects were first, 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 the education sector equity and accountability in Ghana, and second, the Jobs and Skills Project, which seeks to support skills development and job creation in Ghana.

“The two projects 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 funds of about $200 million and subsequently the jobs and skills funding of about $200 million.

“This is the extraordinary traditional ruler [the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II] we are celebrating through this commemorative gold coin,” Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as Napo said when he received the gold coin at his office on 22 February 2022, when a delegation from multi-function entity, E ON 3 Group, and its key partners paid a courtesy call on him at the Energy Ministry to make the presentation.

Value

Dr Prempeh said the honour of presenting the gold coin was a testament to the value the nation places on the contribution of Otumfuo Osei Tutu to national development. The energy minister expressed his appreciation to E ON 3 Group and its partners for putting their “good names on a good cause.”

Investments

The energy minister stressed the need for Ghanaians to invest in the Otumfuo commemorative gold coin when it goes out for sale to the public. Throwing more light on this, Dr Prempeh 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. We are looking forward to you selling the gold coin so that we can also purchase some,” Dr Opoku Prempeh stated.

From wars to education

Taking a journey into history, Dr Prempeh said the tradition of Asante has moved from warmongers to peacemaking, and from the battlefield to the classroom. “From Prempeh I, Opoku Ware II to Osei Tutu II, the battle cry has been education,” he stated.