Contractor embarrasses CAF officials

Kumasi, Oct. 17, GNA - Shock and disappointment were visible on the faces of the officials of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and members of the Local Organising Committee when their planned visit to inspect the progress of the ongoing rehabilitation works at the Kumasi City Hotel was met with fierce resistance from the contractors working on the project.

The drama unfolded when the delegation led by the Vice President of CAF, General Seyi Memene had wanted to enter the premises but some officials of the Chinese State Hualong Construction Limited, contractors working on the project defiantly closed the main gate to the hotel and impudently ordered the officials to leave the premises.


The CAF officials were in Kumasi as part of their routine tour to the host venue cities to inspect progress of work on stadia and other facilities in readiness for the hosting of the Ghana CAN 2008 scheduled to take off in January 2008.


"We don't want any interruption and disturbances, so please leave us alone", Mr Hans Werson, one of the expatriate workers of the construction firm told the officials who were accompanied by Madam Patricia Appiagyei, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive and other officials from the Local Organising Committee (LOC).


Not even the persistent pleas from Madam Appiagyei and Mr Magnus Rex Danquah, Chief Operating Officer of the LOC could persuade the contractors to open the gate, resulting in the CAF officials with no option but to leave the hotel premises.

The City Hotel is one of the strategic projects being undertaking by the government to accommodate participating teams and officials for the Cup of Nations' tournament.


In a related development, the officials have expressed satisfaction at the on-going rehabilitation works at the Baba Yara stadium in Kumasi and commended Consar Construction Company Limited, contractors working on the project for their commitment to duty.


"The work we are seeing at the stadium is up to standard and we praise the LOC and the contractors for living up to expectation", General Memene told newsmen after the officials had inspected the stadium. The delegation visited the Doping Room, VIP Lounge, Press Box, Conference Room, the pitch, referees' changing rooms, the various stands and dressing rooms.


They could however not tour the training pitches due to time constraint.