Asantehene sets Ghana EXPO 2003 agog

London, Oct. 18, GNA - The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu on Saturday set the Ghana EXPO 2003 agog with a two-hour tour of the exhibition stands mounted at the Alexandra Palace in London.

The venue, which had hitherto being rather quite and sombre with rather little patronage went into an instant uproar with the arrival of the Asantehene, looking resplendent and spotting a light green flannel suit with a gold chain strip adorning his suit.

Even though activities virtually runt to a halt, with people running to catch a glimpse of him, the Asantehene took his time going round almost all the stands interacting with the exhibitors, giving tips and asking to know how the event has fared so far.

The Asantehene, who arrived in the UK last week with a 26 royal delegates would be the royal guest at the Ghana EXPO 2003 Exhibition at the Great Hall of the Alexandra Palace on Sarturday night.

He was accompanied by a large delegation led by Mr Isaac Osei, Ghana's High Copmmissioner to the UK, Mr Allan Kyeremanten, Minister of Trade, Industry and Presidential Initiatives, Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Mr Fritz Andoh of the Ghana High Commission.

Some of the stands the Asantehene visited were the Ghana Stock Exchange, Ghana Cocoa Board, Capital O2, The Ghana High Commission stand, Franco Connections Enterprise, the Northern Region, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Upper East Regional stands.

Others were the Glaxosmithkline, Ghana/UK Energy Partners, Afranko '68, Lizdon Fashions, Jacqui Fabrics, Ghana Forestry Commission and another with exhibits on the Presidential Special Initiatives. He was impressed about the interest shown and told some of the exhibtors whose stand he toured to make good use of the event by developing contacts that would help develop their businesses.

The Asantehene is expected to honour some Ghanaians or persons of Ghanaian origin and based in London who have contributed immensely to the development of the motherland.

Top on the list, a royal source told the Ghana News Agency, is Mr. Paul Boateng a British Cabinet Minister and others.

The Asantehene would attend a dinner on Saturday night and sit in state at a durbar aimed at showcasing Ghana's rich culture and traditional practices.

Ghana EXPO 2003 Trade and Investment Exhibition, supported by the Ghana High Commission and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Presidential Special Initiatives seeks to present Ghana as a gateway to West Africa through the promotion of Ghanaian products on the European market.

From Gideon Sackitey, GNA Special Correspondent Alexandra Palace, London