“If we fail, we have failed generation upon generation and we cannot afford to do that” — Ga Mantse

King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse has emphasized the urgent need for collaboration-driven development, warning that failure to act decisively today would deny future generations their voice and opportunities.

“If we fail, we have failed generation upon generation and we cannot afford to do that,” the Ga Mantse stated.

He made these remarks when the President and Founder of Grow, Unite and Build Africa (GUBA), Lady Dentaa, paid a courtesy call on him at his palace in Accra on Thursday.

The meeting focused on diaspora engagement, cultural preservation, education, youth development, and sustainable economic growth, with a strong emphasis on partnership rather than charity.

According to King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ghana’s development must be approached with a long-term vision that prioritizes human capital, especially children and young people.

He cautioned that neglecting development today would slow Ghana’s progress and silence future generations across Africa.

The Ga Mantse expressed interest in initiatives that strengthen education and creativity, including children’s festivals, school programmes, and the establishment of libraries within communities to promote literacy and learning.

Speaking during the courtesy call , President or Founder of Grow, Unite and Build Africa (GUBA),

Lady Dentaa outlined her outfit’s mission to reconnect the African diaspora with the continent through development-focused initiatives.

She noted that many Africans leave Ghana for Europe and the United States and never return, resulting in a loss of talent and skills.

She explained that GUBA has facilitated the relocation of more than 150 people to Ghana, including Ghanaians from diverse ethnic backgrounds—Ga, Ashanti, and Ewe—as well as African Americans and other members of the global African diaspora.

Lady Dentaa also highlighted the work of the GUBA Foundation, which supports children living with autism and focuses on health advocacy, education, and youth empowerment.

She cited community initiatives such as clean-up exercises in Jamestown carried out in collaboration with the British High Commission, as well as reading clubs for street children behind the Arts Centre in Accra.

“I believe development is not about people coming back to help us. It is about collaboration, trade, and sustainable growth,” Lady Dentaa said, adding that GUBA’s current theme is diaspora development rather than volunteerism.

Also contributing to the discussion, Naa Korkor Amarteifio, Programmes Director at the Office of the Ga Mantse Palace, welcomed GUBA’s approach to diaspora engagement, particularly in the creative arts sector.

She stressed that the Ga State does not seek charity but meaningful collaboration that expands opportunities within local communities.

According to her, partnerships with diaspora creatives—including musicians, filmmakers, and artists—can help tell Ghana’s stories authentically while creating economic value.

Naa Korkor Amarteifio also proposed commemorative activities to mark 200 years of peaceful coexistence between the Ga and Ashanti people, referencing the historical reconciliation following the Katamanso War.

She suggested cultural events, educational programmes, and creative productions as ways to honour the milestone and educate younger generations.

Chief of Staff to the Ga Mantse, Naa Yaaley Amoah, commended Lady Dentaa for her long-standing commitment to community development and diaspora relations and expressed appreciation for the engagement.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to explore practical areas of collaboration, particularly in education, creative arts, diaspora investment, and youth empowerment, aimed at securing Ghana’s development and safeguarding opportunities for generations to come.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith