In a moment that drew warm applause and laughter at the Mining in Motion Summit in Accra, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, expressed heartfelt appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for inviting him to deliver a keynote address — with a touch of humour and gravitas.
“Thank you, Mr. President, for allowing me to be President for the next 30 minutes,” Otumfuo quipped as he took the presidential podium on Monday, June 2. His comment, both lighthearted and symbolic, highlighted the mutual respect between traditional authority and executive power, drawing smiles from dignitaries and attendees alike.
President Mahama had earlier stepped aside to allow the revered monarch to use the presidential podium, underscoring the high regard in which Otumfuo is held in national discourse and leadership.
Otumfuo’s address, though introduced with humour, carried a serious message. He called for deep introspection into Ghana’s management of its mineral resources, pointing out the structural disadvantages the country faces in the global value chain and urging both government and industry to take bold steps toward value addition, accountability, and local benefit.
The gesture between the two leaders — one traditional, the other political — added a layer of cultural diplomacy to the summit, which has brought together policymakers, investors, industry experts, and civil society actors to rethink the future of mining in Ghana.
The Mining in Motion Summit continues through Wednesday, with sessions focusing on sustainability, beneficiation, local content, and mineral-led industrialization.
