African leaders are being urged by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to increase intracontinental trade and collaboration in order to move the continent closer to self-sufficiency.
The Asantehene, who was speaking at the 58th Special Congregation of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), cautioned that the competition for superpower status among nations should act as a wake-up call for Africa. In order to seize opportunities for growth and development, he emphasized that African nations must utilize their combined natural and human resources.
African institutions, he underlined, have the know-how and ability to generate the competence required to propel advancement, turning information into real growth.
“We must collaborate effectively as African nations. We’ve held discussions on Ghana’s relations with Eswatini and South-South cooperation to explore stronger partnerships. As Africans, we must prioritize trade and business among ourselves. Our economies are in our hands—if we fail to act and continue relying on the so-called ‘developed’ world, especially in these uncertain times, we risk stagnation. Africa must come first,” he stated.
Highlighting the continent’s vast potential, he added: “We have all the resources we need. Look at the graduates here today—there’s nothing they cannot achieve. The question is: What are we lacking to motivate them? We must empower our engineers to manufacture what we need locally. Our professors and lecturers are brimming with knowledge—we have the capacity to make this happen. Let us challenge ourselves as Africans, as Ghanaians, and work together to build our future.”
The Asantehene also called on the government to move quickly to complete the KNUST Teaching Hospital project, which has been put on hold, stressing how important it is to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital’s medical education program.
“I often use occasions like this to address university matters, and today, I must speak about my teaching hospital,” he said.
He added: “Despite significant progress, the project remains unfinished. This hospital is dear to me because of its unique purpose—it will bolster the training of KNUST’s medical and allied health students.”
He continued by making a direct appeal to the vice president, saying, “Madam Vice President, please urge the President to prioritize this project and ensure its swift completion.”