The former president recounted how at a point in time when Ghana was in a fix, he fell on the assistance of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to assist Ghana access a credit facility from the IMF.
Extolling the personality of the Asante monarch, the former president explained how in 2015, Ghana found herself in a tight situation and needed a credit facility from the monetary body but was facing difficulty in doing that. That was when he decided to seek the help of the Asantehene.
He stated that after having a discussion with him, the King travelled to the United Kingdom to meet with the former president of the World Bank, Mr. James Wolfensohn and opened up on the situation as it was. From there, the King moved with Mr. Wolfensohn to the United States for further talks with other officials of the international body.
Things eventually turned out well as Ghana eventually was able to access that financial aid after the meetings.
That was actually not the first time the influence and assistance of the King was needed when Ghana needed some form of foreign aid but was facing challenges in getting it.
It would be recalled that another former president, John Agyekum Kufuor also recounted how the King’s assistance was influential in helping Ghana exit HIPC. He also stated that, at about the time Ghana had met all the requirements to exit HIPC, his attention was drawn to other conditions that had not been attended to for which reason exiting was hindered. He mentioned that he fell on the Asantehene who after traveling to the United States held discussions with the then president of the World Bank which subsequently helping Ghana exit HIPC.
