The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has issued a strong call to President John Dramani Mahama to prioritise Ghana’s escalating unemployment crisis, warning that the situation poses a serious threat to national cohesion and long-term stability.
His concerns were delivered during the 59th Congregation of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where he also renewed his appeal for intensified international support, particularly from Germany, toward strengthening Ghana’s small and medium-scale enterprises.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Asantehene reminded the nation that the warning signs surrounding unemployment have been visible for years and require urgent attention from the government.
He recalled raising the matter with German authorities during a recent courtesy call, stressing that international partnerships must align with Ghana’s long-term industrial and employment needs.
“We are all aware of the unemployment situation in this nation. It was on that basis that I raised the issue when the German President and Ambassador paid a courtesy call on me last month.
“I wish to reiterate my appeal to the German Government to support small and medium-scale industries. Unemployment is a major issue in the country. It is a national concern, and the President should take a keen interest in this critical issue”
Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
The Asantehene emphasised that unemployment has outgrown partisan debate and now stands as a national emergency requiring the full attention of the president. He underscored the urgency of institutional reforms and “targeted investments capable of absorbing Ghana’s expanding youth population into productive sectors.”
Staffing Gaps and Institutional Strain
Beyond unemployment, the Asantehene also addressed the growing burden on academic institutions, with a particular focus on KNUST.
He highlighted concerns raised during the university’s recent five-year cyclical review, which flagged significant gaps in staffing and lecturer-student ratios, warning that the current strain on lecturers risks undermining the quality of education, research output, and the overall competitiveness of the institution.
He called for immediate government action to grant financial clearance for the recruitment of more academic and administrative staff, arguing that higher education cannot fulfil its national mandate without adequate human resources.
“The challenge of our unfavourable student-to-lecturer ratio was brought sharply into focus. The situation places a heavy strain on our educated, dedicated lecturers and threatens the quality of teaching and learning we provide”
Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
Warning Over Land Encroachment
The Asantehene shifted his focus to another matter of major concern: the persistent encroachment on KNUST lands.
Despite a stern warning delivered five years ago in the same venue, he revealed that individuals continue to unlawfully claim portions of the university’s lands, aided in some cases by legal practitioners who fail to conduct due diligence before taking such matters to court.
In his most forceful remarks on the subject since his earlier warning, he condemned the actions of encroachers and criticised lawyers who knowingly or unknowingly lend legitimacy to false claims. He reiterated that lands belonging to KNUST remain protected and essential to the institution’s expansion and long-term development agenda.
“I issued a solemn and unequivocal warning against any encroachment upon the lands of KNUST. However, I have received reports indicating that some recalcitrant people continue to test our resolve”
Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
He cautioned that individuals presenting themselves as family heads to claim university lands are misleading the public and the courts. He expressed further disappointment that some lawyers accept such cases even when the facts contradict those claims, describing the practice as unethical and detrimental to national educational development.
The Asantehene reiterated that KNUST, as a premier institution established for national advancement, must be protected from all forms of encroachment. He insisted that neither traditional claims nor courtroom manoeuvres would deter the Manhyia Palace from defending the university’s lands.
The ceremony closed with a renewed commitment from the Asantehene to continue advocating for national development through education, employment creation, and protection of state institutions.
READ ALSO: Sri Lanka Seeks Assistance As Cyclone Ditwah Wrecks Havoc
