In an apparent attempt to quell rumours of his demise, the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu is to tour public projects under construction in Kumasi on Thursday to show he is very much alive. The inspection tour will be the King’s first major public outing since the Independence Day parade at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology on the March 6. Over the past fortnight, there have been rumours that the Asantehene has died. Although he has sat in state at the Manhyia Palace to hear traditional cases and also led celebrations of the Akan festival, Akwasidae, there have been rumours of his death peddled across the length and breath of the country. Joy News has learnt that the King’s court and counsel put the inspection tour together to end the speculation. The King will visit the Asafo Interchange, the completion of which is nearly two years behind schedule, the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, the Wood Village at Sokoban and the Kumasi City Hotel. Otumfuo will also acquaint himself with the situation at Kejetia following the decongestion program by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly last week. Joy News sources at the Manhyia Palace say Otumfuo is aware of the rumour but will not make any public comment from the palace.