Otumfuo urges BoG to lower rates
By: Isaac Boamah Darko
His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, on Wednesday paid a high-profile visit to Bank Square, the imposing head office of the Bank of Ghana, where he called on the central bank to help sustain the country’s economic recovery — and to do so in a way that improves everyday livelihoods.
Accompanied by more than 20 paramount and divisional chiefs, the Asantehene was received at the Bank by Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama and senior Bank officials. Standing before the Bank’s landmark edifice, Otumfuo described the building as “a monument to our generation,” urging management to match the structure’s grandeur with staff motivation and institutional excellence. “We have come to listen, not preach,” he told the gathering, calling on the Bank to take decisive measures that will “keep the country on track.”
The Asantehene also used the occasion to press for lower interest rates to stimulate domestic growth and investment, while underlining the importance of safeguarding the Bank’s operational independence. His appeal echoed concerns being raised across the private sector and traditional institutions about the cost of credit for businesses and households.
In response, Governor Dr. Asiama reiterated the Bank’s commitment to translate macroeconomic improvement into concrete gains for citizens. “Ghana’s recovery must now move beyond better statistics to better livelihoods. It must translate into jobs for the youth, stronger local industry, affordable credit that does not reignite inflation, and a financial system that supports enterprise and long-term investment,” he said, adding that the Bank would act “firmly, independently, and professionally” to make gains durable and inclusive.
Earlier visit to police headquarters
The Bank engagement followed an earlier visit by the Asantehene to the Ghana Police Service headquarters at Ridge on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, where he held talks with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other senior officers.
According to a police statement issued after the visit, Otumfuo commended officers for their professionalism and emphasised the critical role of security in enabling economic and social progress. He urged investment in operational logistics, improved welfare for rank-and-file personnel, and enhanced training — measures he said would bolster morale and effectiveness on the beat.
“Security and development are indivisible,” Otumfuo told the police leadership, the statement quoted, underscoring the need for community-oriented policing and stronger collaboration between traditional authorities and state security organs to prevent crime and resolve disputes early. He also highlighted the importance of respecting human rights and the rule of law as foundations for public trust in policing.
The police response stressed that the Service welcomed the Asantehene’s interest and guidance. “We are committed to strengthening community policing, improving welfare for officers, and deepening cooperation with traditional leaders to keep our communities safe,” the statement said, without offering a timetable for new initiatives.
Observers say the back-to-back visits — first to the police and then to the central bank — reflect Otumfuo’s expanding public role as a convening voice on national issues beyond customary affairs. His interventions on interest rates and institutional independence are likely to reverberate in policy and political circles already debating how to sustain growth without fuelling inflation.
Economists and business leaders have welcomed the Asantehene’s focus on livelihoods and investment, but they stress the technical trade-offs the Bank must navigate between easing credit conditions and preserving price stability. Meanwhile, the police said they would take forward discussions on welfare and community engagement with a view to concrete reforms.
As the country watches how policymakers and security agencies respond, Otumfuo’s visits have foregrounded two interlinked pillars of national progress: a stable environment that protects citizens and investments, and an independent, effective central bank that balances growth with macroeconomic stability.