Kumasi, Sept. 28, GNA - Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, on Wednesday embarked on a tour of the Kumasi metropolis during which he inspected the progress of work on on-going development projects. The seven-hour tour was to enable the Asantehene to acquaint himself with problems delaying the completion of the projects.

The projects, being funded by the government are geared towards boosting the beautification of the Kumasi metropolis to restore it to its former status as the Garden City of West Africa. They are also to give the metropolis a facelift in the wake of the impending 2008 African Cup of Nations (CAN) tournament to be hosted by Ghana.

A large entourage including Mr Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, traditional rulers and experts accompanied the Asantehene to inspect on-going projects at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Asafo-Adum Interchange and the City Hotel. At the KATH, the Asantehene inspected the multi-million cedi Accident and Emergency Centre Unit Project, being executed by the Consar Construction Company Limited.

Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, Chief Executive Officer of KATH, who led the Asantehene to inspect the unit, also briefed him on the progress of work of other related projects, which are being executed to improve upon healthcare delivery at the Hospital. At KNUST, the Asantehene inspected progress of work on the Central Lecture Theatre, Sports Complex, Faculty of Law Library and Lecture Theatre, Museum of Technology, College of Architecture and Planning building, Business School Complex and Telecommunications Engineering Laboratory.

Professor Kwesi Andam, the out-going Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, said the projects were being funded through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) at the cost of several billions of cedis and were expected to facilitate academic work when completed.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu also inspected the reconstruction of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Mr Frimpong Okyere, Site Engineer, told the Asantehene that about 40 per cent of work on the project had been completed, adding that all things being equal, the project would be completed in October next year. At the Asafo-Adum Interchange project, the Asantehene called on Messrs Sarroch Gelfi BV, contractors engaged on the project to be committed to completing it on schedule to facilitate the free flow of traffic in the Kumasi metropolis.

He also inspected the extent of work done on the rehabilitation on the four-star City Hotel, which is being executed by the Chinese State Construction Company Limited.

Workers of the company in an interaction with the Asantehene complained of what they said was the inhuman treatment being meted out to them by their employers.

The workers, among other issues, complained of low remuneration and the company's reluctance to put in place protective measures to ensure their safety whilst at work, a development for which they threatened to embark on a demonstration.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu impressed upon the workers to exercise restraint and be diligent in carrying out their duties as their grievances were being addressed.