While distancing itself from the controversial ugly statue of Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Kejetia Lorry terminal, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is ready to assist the two Senior Lecturers who took the contract in their individual capacities to produce a befitting one.

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

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 however denied allegations that the contract was awarded to the Department of Painting and Sculpture of the institution.

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

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

Some residents within the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs have taken to the airwaves to express disgust over the statue of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II positioned inside the multi-million dollar new Kejetia Market.

They argue that the sculpture does not represent the true image of the Asante King, adding that it has marred the beauty of the state-of-the-art edifice.

According to them, the statue represents another person and not their King who has ruled the Asante Kingdom for twenty years.

Their disappointment came after the statue was unveiled on Wednesday during the inauguration of the new Kejetia market with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in attendance.

Some radio commentators and serial callers who also called into the various radio stations monitored by MyNewsGh.com questioned why the KMA officials didn’t ensure that due diligence was done before the unveiling of the statue on Wednesday saying such a blunder is unforgivable.