Nana Boakye Yiadom II, Otumfuo Nkwantakesehene , has called on banks and financial institutions to ease loan conditions for young entrepreneurs seeking credit to grow their businesses.
Speaking at the Ashanti Business Executives Awards ceremony in Kumasi, the Nana Boakye Yiadom II emphasized that supporting startups with accessible financing is critical to tackling unemployment and accelerating economic growth.
“The demands from banks before young businesses can secure credit facilities are very unfortunate,” he said.
“Such conditions discourage many from pursuing or expanding their enterprises. If banks can provide soft loans to young entrepreneurs, it will help the economy grow.”
Nana Boakye Yiadom commended the event organizers for recognizing the role of business leaders in national development through job creation.
“This award ceremony shows that their contributions have been noticed. It motivates them and others to continue creating opportunities for the youth. We don’t want to see people roaming the streets we want everyone engaged in meaningful work,” he added.
In a separate but equally urgent appeal, the Nana Boakye Yiadom II called on traditional leaders and stakeholders to join the government in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
He expressed concern over the destruction of water bodies and the environment, describing the situation as a national emergency.
“Everyone must get involved especially we, the chiefs because we know those engaging in illegal mining in our communities. But we lack the power to arrest them,” he said. “If government is serious about stopping galamsey, chiefs must be actively included in the intervention strategies.”
Nkwantakesehene lamented the environmental degradation caused by illegal mining, noting that many rural communities no longer have access to clean drinking water. “Gone are the days people could drink directly from rivers.
Now, most of our water bodies are polluted,” he said. “If nothing is done, a time will come when we will have to import drinking water into this country.”
He also criticized the apparent inaction of security agencies in curbing galamsey, questioning why arrests are not being made despite their legal mandate. “We have security forces empowered to act, but our rivers are still being destroyed,” he said.
“Government must invite traditional leaders to the table so we can design strategies together. Chiefs cannot arrest illegal miners because the law doesn’t permit us to do so.”
Nana concluded by reiterating that any serious anti-galamsey effort must include traditional authorities. “When chiefs are fully involved, illegal mining will be brought to a halt,” he said.
Source :www.kumasimail.com
