President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday descended heavily on media practitioners at the Manhyia Palace, Kumasi, when he paid a courtesy call on the Asante King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

The President was worried that journalists in the country had been painting a murky picture that Ghana was the worst country to live; which in actual fact, was far from the truth.

President Mahama stated emphatically that the country was making giant strides in terms of development, but media practitioners were still creating an erroneous impression that Ghana was retrogressing in the area of development.

He insisted that, despite the temporary challenges facing the economy which had partly been caused by the global financial crisis, concrete developmental projects had been taking place all over the country.

President Mahama was at the Manhyia Palace as part of his three-day working tour of the region to inspect ongoing government projects and also commission those that had been completed.

His presence at the Manhyia Palace was ostensibly to thank the Asantehene and the entire residents of the region for their loyal support which ensured his electoral victory in 2012.

He said Ghana had lost a staggering $1.3 billion from 2012 to date due to the sharp drop in cocoa and gold prices on the international market, pointing out that, “this is part of the temporary challenges facing the economy.”

The President stated that his administration was capable of fixing the economy so as to better the lives of the people and urged Ghanaians to be patient and rally behind the government to turn the economy around.

President Mahama said the austere measures being undertaken by his government were appropriate and good for the economy, assuring that very soon the economic situation would get better.

According to him, despite the challenges facing the economy, he had seen a massive transformation across the country during his tours.

He maintained that more areas were being connected to the national electricity grid; portable drinking water was being provided for the rural folks and education, road and the health sectors had also been transformed.

He announced that a military hospital was being constructed in Kumasi and the Manhyia Clinic would soon be rehabilitated and upgraded.

The President said Ghana had completed a deal with the Brazilian government to reconstruct the Kumasi Central Market to make it a model market in the West African sub-region.

Among other projects he announced would be undertaken were a modern national theater in Kumasi and revamping the railway system.

President Mahama showered praises on Otumfuo for playing leading roles to ensure peace and unity in the nation. He particularly praised him over the role he played in bringing a lasting solution to the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis.

The Offinsohene, Nana Wiafe Akenten, who spoke on behalf of Otumfuo, assured President Mahama of the support of the chiefs and people in the region, in the running of his administration.

He appealed to the Head of State not to sideline the Ashanti Region in terms of development. Ministers Advised

Otumfuo also admonished Ministers in the NDC administration to work hard to support the President to succeed.

President Mahama was accompanied by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong and his deputy, Samuel Yaw Adusei; Kojo Bonsu, Kumasi Mayor; ministers of state and top party functionaries in the region.