BY Issah Olegor
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has issued a strong call for a shift in national mindset, urging Ghanaians to move away from the culture of blame and embrace personal responsibility as a pathway to sustainable development.
Speaking at the World-Meets-in-Ghana Executive Dinner Ball held at the Manhyia Palace on Friday, April 24, 2026, the revered monarch challenged citizens to rethink their role in the country’s socio-economic progress.
Addressing a distinguished audience of political leaders, business executives, diplomats and traditional authorities, Otumfuo lamented what he described as a long-standing tendency among Ghanaians to attribute national challenges to external forces while overlooking their own contributions to the problem.
He noted that even decades after the fall of the First Republic, citizens continue to blame past governments for present difficulties, a practice he believes undermines accountability and progress.
Drawing from everyday societal dynamics, the Asantehene highlighted a cycle of mutual blame across institutions—politicians pointing fingers at religious leaders over moral decline, while religious leaders accuse politicians of indiscipline.
Similarly, he observed that parents blame schools for poor upbringing, while schools fault parents for neglect.
According to him, such patterns only deepen national stagnation.
Placing the spotlight on economic development, Otumfuo emphasised the untapped opportunities within the domestic market.
He pointed out that the dominance of imported goods in local shopping spaces should serve as a wake-up call for citizens to invest in local manufacturing and production. Rather than relying solely on government intervention, he stressed that development must be driven by private initiative, entrepreneurship, and a willingness to take risks.
While acknowledging ongoing government efforts to stimulate economic growth—particularly in agriculture, forestry and industry—he cautioned that many past initiatives failed because citizens treated them as political gestures rather than genuine opportunities.
He warned that repeating such attitudes could derail future progress, insisting that the success of any policy ultimately depends on the response of the people.
In a significant move, Otumfuo unveiled the ‘Build Ghana Now’ campaign, a national call-to-action aimed at mobilising citizens, businesses, and institutions to invest in the country’s future.
Inspired by the historic “Self-Government Now” movement led by Kwame Nkrumah, the Asantehene described the initiative as a necessary response to present-day economic challenges.
He urged stakeholders across society—including traditional leaders, the private sector, farmers, and the media—to rally behind the campaign and drive a new wave of local investment and innovation.
Emphasising the Akan principle of “Wo ara tu, wo ara sa” (you start it, you fix it), Otumfuo called on Ghanaians to take ownership of their destiny.
