Asantehene challenges PBC to expand cocoa investments to create employment

Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is challenging the Produce Buying Company to explore creative ways to get the country’s unemployed youth off the streets.

He said many of today’s youth are overwhelmed by rapid socio-economic changes, amid joblessness and financial difficulty which make them unable to firmly establish themselves.

At the commissioning of the Golden Bean Hotel, PBC’s subsidiary in Kumasi, Otumfuo charged the company to expand its scope of investments in cocoa.

“I challenge you to expand the frontiers of employment through creativity to rid our streets of young men and women who appear overwhelmed by rapid socio-economic changes are unable to establish themselves firmly due to rising unemployment and financial challenges,” Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said.

The Asantehene commended the Produce Buying Company Limited for siting the Golden Bean Hotel in Kumasi.

“Permit me to advise the board and management that cocoa which still is the mainstay of the of the economy and your core or primary business, should not play second fiddle to any other investment you may venture into”.

The plush Golden Bean Hotel, located in a serene Nhyieaso high-class suburb is expected to offer world-class service to clients.

General Manager, James Amarkah said Golden Bean is “determined to redefine the hospitality industry by lifting prevailing standards a few notches higher to reflect our tagline, hospitality beyond expectation”.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Gomashie, alerts the hotel’s management of what she foresees as challenges ahead.

According to her, non-sustainability of standards among others has led to collapse of several hospitality facilities in Kumasi.

Other factors she raised include mismanagement and failure to separate ownership from management.