Kumasi, April 1, GNA - Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has called on the Korean Ambassador to Ghana to build good relationship between investors of the two countries to promote economic growth in Ghana. He specifically mentioned small-scale entrepreneurs in the Kumasi Central Market as an important area they could invest.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu was speaking when Mr Wikeyei Chu, Republic of Korea Ambassador in Ghana paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Friday.

He noted that Korea and Ghana had collaborated well and that the political system and the economy were on track because of the good governance by the two governments.

He said the private sector, which was considered the engine of growth should be encouraged stating that Asanteman was interested in partnership with their counterparts in Korea.

The Asantehene said agriculture, which was the mainstay of the people in the Region, was an area where the two countries could collaborate so that they could produce abundant food to feed the every-growing population.

He said chiefs were prepared to make agricultural lands available so that they could use them as their share capital for any project to take off, adding traditional rulers could also release plots for estate development.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu pointed out that the inland port at Boankra needed funding and appealed to the Ambassador to assist by getting some investors to partner the Ghana Shippers Council, adding enough lands had been released for that project.

He said the people of Ashanti and Korea could also establish cultural ties to keep the people from the two countries to understand each other, pointing out that Koreans could visit the country to enjoy the Ghanaian hospitality.

With regard to education, the Asantehene said Korea could offer support to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in the fields of science and technology.

Mr Chu said since Kumasi was the second largest city in Ghana he would work hard to have a twining relationship with Busan, which is also the second largest city in Korea.

He announced that he was working to bring a group of Koreans to participate in some of the cultural activities in Kumasi in the latter part of the year.

The Ambassador promised to make follow up visit to cement the cultural ties with the Ashanti Region.