Skip to main content

KNUST disowns ‘controversial’ statue of Otumfuo

The statue of Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has sparked public displeasure
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Asantehene) has distanced itself from the controversial statue of Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II who is also Chancellor of the University.
The statue which was unveiled last week at the Kejetia Lorry terminal sparked public displeasure with some taking to social media to express their disappointment with the art.

The University in a statement denied allegations that the contract was awarded to the Department of Painting and Sculpture.

“The contract to produce Otumfuo Osei Tutu’s statue was never awarded to the Department of Painting and Sculpture, KNUST,” the statement noted.

KNUST in the statement said the said contract was instead given to two lecturers of the department in their personal capacity.

“The project was undertaken by 2 lecturers in their individual capacities,” the statement added.

Read the full statement below by the University Registrar

“Our attention has been drawn to publications on various media platforms to the effect that the statue of our revered Chancellor and Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, erected at the Kejetia Lorry Terminal was produced by the Department of Painting and Sculpture of this University.

We would want to clarify the issue as follows;

1. The contract to produce Otumfuo Osei Tutu’s statue was NEVER awarded to the Department of Painting and Sculpture, KNUST.

2. The project was undertaken by 2 lecturers in their individual capacities.
Hence, KNUST as an institution had noting to do with the production of the statue.

With our technical expertise, we are however more than willing to assist the public in the production of excellent monuments.”

The statue was unveiled by President Akufo-Addo on May 2 as part of activities to mark the 20th anniversary of the Asantehene.

It has been at the centre of social media trolls following what the public say was a poorly constructed artefact.

Residents in the Kumasi metropolis are also angry at city authorities for superintending over the construction and unveiling of a bad monument in honour of the Asante King.


 Source: citinewsroom.com

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Invest your profits back into farming - COCOBOD boss to Cocoa Farmers

Joseph Boahen Aidoo is Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Joseph Boahen Aidoo, has charged cocoa farmers to be business minded in operating their farms and to partake fully in the various programmes introduced by COCOBOD to ensure good farm yields and to increase profits. "Good farming practices, like pruning, the timely application of fertilizers and proper pests control are essential at all times," he said. Joseph Boahen Aidoo stated this while interacting with farmers in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions, on the first day of his week-long tour of cocoa farms across the county. He was accompanied by the Deputy Chief Executive of Operations at COCOBOD, Dr Emmanuel Opoku, as well, as Directors and Research Scientists from COCOBOD. The tour is aimed at assessing the level of farmer participation in the various farm productivity improvement programmes implemented by COCOBOD; it is also...

Dogboe takes time off boxing

Isaac Dogboe Isaac Dogboe's journey in the pugilistic sport is far from over, even though he is to take a lengthy break. The 24-year-old will remain in the sport but will take time off and resume his university education, he has exclusively confirmed to Joy Sports. The former world champion gained admission to the Penster University last year but had deferred studies due to the demands of his boxing career. This decision to return to school comes after a one-on-one meeting with his father, Paul, who led his corner on the night of his humiliating loss to WBO super bantamweight champion, Emmanuel Navarette. "I am good and glad I was not injured. It's rather unfortunate I couldn't win the bout and I guess sometimes these things happen. I am grateful to all for the massive support for this bout,” he told Joy Sports in Arizona. He mentions that he will take time off to get himself back into school, and re-strategize to make a return to the ...

Two staff at Office of Special Prosecutor investigated for stealing fuel

Martin Amidu, Speacial Prosecutor Two employees of the Office of the Special Prosecutor have been indicted for allegedly stealing fuel. Accountant, Peter Owusu Afriyie and Secretary to the Special Prosecutor’s office, Joseph Dasanah, drew almost ¢10,000 worth of fuel monthly even though they are not entitled to it, JoyNews has sighted a memo. A memo from the then acting Head of Investigations, Julius Zodanu, to the Special Prosecutor, detailed how Joseph Dasanah –Amidu’s secretary, and an accountant, both signed for fuel coupons even though, as unconfirmed staff on secondment, neither of them was entitled to it. The memos showed further discrepancies with Joseph Dasanah’s fuel claims, JoyNews Kojo Yankson has found out. The secretary allegedly stole some 5,300 cedis worth of claims. In one day, he made two fuel claims – ¢400 and ¢300 for his 2018 Toyota Corolla, a vehicle whose tank can only take ¢250 to ¢300 worth of fuel at full capacity. Independent assessments show a 2018 Toyot...