Kumasi, Mar 25, GNA - Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has called for a united effort to tackle head-on, the nation's socio-economic challenges. He said it was important every Ghanaian accepted to share in the responsibility of helping to grow the economy.

The Asantehene, who was speaking during a courtesy call on him by the National Council of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), said development could be achieved only when everyone played his or her expected role.

The Council, led by its president, Nana Owusu-Afari is on a three-day working visit to Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions to deliberate with members and key stakeholders on issues bothering Ghanaian businesses. Otumfuo Osei Tutu said it should be a source of worry that after 52 years of political independence, Ghana continues to be heavily dependent on foreign aid.

He said it was about time lessons were taken from countries like India and China to turn the economy around. He appealed to Ghanaians to patronize locally manufactured products to help the nation on the path to wealth and jobs creation. Nana Owusu-Afari said the group was collaborating with the government to boost the industrial sector especially in the agro-processing to reduce post-harvest losses.

He said it was important that local businesses are supported to grow and suggested a 10-year tax free incentive for people who ventured into the manufacturing industry. 25 March 10