70 years of independence, 70 years of broken promises: Otumfuo demands new narrative for Ghana

As Ghana prepares to mark 70 years of independence in 2027, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has delivered a strong message urging the nation to move beyond political rhetoric and focus on building sustainable businesses and economic value.

Speaking at the Ghana Business Leaders Conclave held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), the revered traditional ruler said Ghana’s post-independence journey has been marked by repeated cycles of unfulfilled promises, economic setbacks and declining public trust in leadership.

According to Otumfuo, the country cannot continue to celebrate independence without critically examining whether the ideals of freedom and self-governance have translated into meaningful prosperity for ordinary citizens.

“Ghana must now become a nation of builders,” he declared, emphasizing that national progress will not come through political slogans, campaign rhetoric or changes in government alone, but through deliberate investment in enterprise, production and innovation.

The conclave, organized under the theme “Leading with Integrity, Negotiation, Mediation and Ethical Governance for Business Sustainability,” formed part of UPSA’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Otumfuo, a distinguished alumnus of the institution, played a major role in establishing the Otumfuo Centre for Traditional Leadership, which co-hosted the event.

In a speech that resonated strongly with business leaders, academics and policymakers, the Asantehene expressed concern over what he described as the recurring pattern of hope and disappointment that characterizes Ghana’s political leadership cycles.

He noted that every new administration often begins with optimism and promises of transformation, only for many citizens to become disillusioned as economic hardships persist and institutional trust weakens.

The Asantehene argued that while good governance and democracy remain important, they are not enough to guarantee economic transformation unless they are backed by strong business development and productive industries.

“Economic transformation does not come from elections or slogans,” he stressed. “It comes from the discipline of building businesses, creating value and investing in long-term productivity.”

Otumfuo challenged Ghanaians to rethink the meaning of independence by asking whether the country’s freedom has truly created opportunities for every child, prosperity for families and dignity for citizens across all regions.

He outlined four key shifts Ghana must embrace to secure long-term national development:

• From political rhetoric to building businesses
• From slogans to production
• From lamentation to enterprise
• From dependency to value creation

Drawing lessons from countries such as the United States, China, India, Singapore and Vietnam, the Asantehene said sustainable prosperity is achieved through deliberate investments in technology, industrialization, innovation and entrepreneurship rather than political superiority.

He further distinguished democracy from societal trust, explaining that while elections may change governments, only strong and credible institutions can sustain national progress and stability.

The Asantehene also directed attention to the challenges facing Ghana’s private sector, urging political leaders to create a more supportive business environment that encourages investment and entrepreneurship.

He warned that inconsistent policies, economic instability and bureaucratic inefficiencies continue to weaken investor confidence and slow business growth.

“Businesses are the engine of economic growth, and governments must create the conditions that allow them to flourish,” Otumfuo stated.

According to him, when businesses are uncertain about future policies and economic conditions, they become reluctant to invest, ultimately affecting job creation and national development.

He therefore called for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to tackle unemployment, improve productivity and expand opportunities for young people.

“The private sector cannot succeed without government support, and government cannot achieve economic transformation without a strong private sector,” he added.

Otumfuo also encouraged Ghanaian businesses to invest more in innovation, skills development, industrialization and value addition to improve the country’s competitiveness in the global economy.

The Ghana Business Leaders Conclave forms part of UPSA’s broader 60th anniversary programme, which aims to stimulate conversations around ethical leadership, sustainability, succession planning and responsible business practices.

Vice Chancellor Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor described the event as an important platform for shaping national dialogue on economic growth and institutional transformation.

However, for the Asantehene, the real measure of progress will not be the success of conferences or political speeches, but whether Ghanaians can transform independence into tangible economic growth and national prosperity.

His message was clear: Ghana’s future depends not on endless political debate, but on building productive enterprises, strengthening institutions and creating lasting economic value for future generations.