Security chiefs to up surveillance in Kumasi

Mr Mahama Ayariga, Minister for Information and Media Relations, on Friday gave the assurance that security chiefs would beef up the number of security personnel, intensify police/military patrols and strengthen intelligence gathering in Kumasi.

He said the security would also restrict the use of motorbikes in the city as measures towards containing the crime situation in Kumasi and its surrounding areas.

Mr Ayariga said this as part of the daily briefings at the Flagstaff House after a meeting between President John Dramani Mahama and national security chiefs.

Also in attendance was the Ashanti Regional Commanders and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku.

The security chiefs, including the National Security Coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, Chief of Defence Staff, Rear Admiral Mathew Quashie and the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr Alhassan Tanko, were at the seat of government to brief the President on the security situation in Kumasi and the Ashanti Region in general.

The security situation in Kumasi has attracted attention following the recent killings of about three people within a month.

The Information and Media Relations Minister said the security chiefs had assured the President that they were on top of the security situation in Kumasi and given an indication that they would intensify police/military patrol to rid the area of criminal elements.

He said intelligence gathering would also be intensified to ensure peace and total sanity in the Metropolis.

Mr Ayariga indicated that evidence showed that many criminals used motorbikes to carry out negative activities and the restriction on their use could stem the criminal activities.

The Information Minister said President Mahama had consequently given an order for the security agencies to be supported with the requisite logistics and equipment, including vehicles to be able to carry out their operations in Kumasi and surrounding areas.

Source: GNA