Kumasi, May 13, GNA - The Zambian President, Mr Levy Patrick Nwanawasa, now on a state visit to Ghana, arrived in Kumasi on Friday morning for a two-day historic tour of the Ashanti Region.

He was accompanied by the host nation's Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Akwasi Osei Adjei and some high ranking Ministers from Zambia.

Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, the Ashanti Regional Minister and Oheneba Adusei Poku, the Akyempimhene, who represented Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, met the visiting President and his delegation on arrival at the Kumasi Airport.

President Mwanawasa after exchanging pleasantries with the welcoming party inspected a guard of honour mounted by 96 men and three officers from the Fourth Battalion of Infantry (4BN).

The "Amamereso" cultural troupe at the Centre for National Culture in Kumasi also treated him to a splendid cultural performance. As he and his delegation drove through the Metropolis from the Airport to the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC), school children lined along the route waving miniature Ghanaian flags and cheered. Highlights of President Mwanawasa' tour of the Region include an inspection visit to AngloGold Ashanti at Obuasi, the country's largest gold mine and a durbar to be held in his honour by Otumfuo Osei Tutu at Manhyia, the seat of the Asante Kingdom.