The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged the local business community to take advantage of opportunities offered by the country's oil and gas discovery and explore them to the benefit of the entire Ghanaian society.
He said the business community should position itself well to create wealth and jobs.
The discovery of oil in commercial quantities, he noted, held enormous promise for the nation and it could not simply afford to miss this opportunity to enhance the living standards of the people.
The Asantehene said this in a speech read for him by Nana Asampong Boakye, Asamponhene, at the Ashanti Business Excellence Awards in Kumasi.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said he was particularly happy that interest rates were going down, noting that, this should spur business growth.
He commended the business community in Ashanti for its tremendous contribution to the socio-economic progress of the region.
The Produce Buying Company (PBC) was adjudged the overall best business entity in the region for the year and received "The Platinum Award."
The event was held under the auspices of the Manhyia Palace.