Otumfuo frustrated over delay of Kumasi shopping mall project

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has expressed frustration over the continued delay for the start of construction works on the proposed “SUNSHINE CITI Mall” project.

The King personally performed the ceremony for the job to begin but after more than two years, there is no sign of activity at the site – the Kumasi Race Course.

The discomfort of the Asantehene is understandable given the fact that thousands of traders were forcibly ejected to make way for the project and he minced no words, telling a delegation of the Kenbert Group Company and its international equity partners, financiers of the project that had called on him at his Manhyia Palace that, he was disappointed.

They were there to inform him about their plans to carry out further feasibility studies to determine the tentative date for its take off.

He said he was not happy to hear ‘the talk’ about yet another ‘study’, a clear indication that the Company was not ready.

The Asantehene told the delegation that he was eager to play his part in national development and that explained why he wanted “things done and done quickly”.

Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister and Mr Samuel Sarpong, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) shared the sentiments of the Asantehene and said the delay was not pleasant news.

The government, they said, was ready to give it the necessary support because of its potential to create employment through the establishment of small scale enterprises.

Mr Sarpong said they did not want to be accused of insensitivity, having thrown out people, who were doing business there.

Mr Robert Kwaku Appiah Asante, Executive Chairman, Kenbert Group, who led the delegation, said they had mobilized $50 million towards the project which would take two years to complete when the construction begins.

Source: GNA