Government offers GHC25,000 bounty for arsonists

President John Dramani Mahama has directed the state security agencies to declare a security alert at all important public buildings and installations across the country.

A twenty?five thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢25,000) package has also been announced to reward any person who provides information leading to the arrest of suspected arsonists.

The directive, according to Chief of Staff Prosper Bani, follows updated security briefings received by the president on the recent fire outbreaks in various markets in the country.

President Mahama has also visited the site of the latest fire incident; the Makola No. 2 in Accra, where the Chief Fire Officer Brigadier General Bosco Guyiri and the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Julius Debrah briefed him.

“By directing a security alert at all such installations and instituting the reward package, the President is convinced that the general Ghanaian public will also be vigilant and watch out for saboteurs within their communities who may be planning to cause damage to public property”, a statement signed Friday by Mr. Bani stated.

According to the Chief of Staff, the Regional Security (REGSEC) and District Security Councils (DISEC) have also been directed to work with the respective market associations, to put in place watchdog teams, to provide adequate security for important public installations including markets.

They are also to ensure the deployment of uniformed and plain clothed police and military teams to all such installations in their jurisdictions.