KMA To Install CCTV Cameras To Check Crimes

Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras are to be installed at strategic locations in the central business district and some flashpoints in the Kumasi Metropolis as part of efforts by the city authorities to fight crime. The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Kojo Bonsu, who made this known in Kumasi, said the cameras would be connected to a central security system to be manned by the police and military. Delivering his maiden address to the assembly, Mr Bonsu said the project, which was expected to take off immediately the fine details were worked out, would be funded by the assembly and from donor support . The announcement was received with massive applause by the assembly members mainly because it came at a time Kumasi had been experiencing numerous crimes including murders and robberies. Mr Bonsu said that members of the metro security committee and other selected heads of departments would be provided with walkie-talkies to improve the communication needed to promote effective security. Stating his determination to work with other partners to ensure the safety of the people in the metropolis, the MCE said �security is one of the key areas this assembly will put premium on.� The MCE also spoke about plans to restore the green environment of Kumasi that had been destroyed by human activities and added, �The assembly will plant one million trees in the metropolis by 2017,� he added. Touching on sanitation, which had been a major source of concern in recent times, the MCE stated that an exercise to clean the central business district of the city at night had been put in place, to ensure that the area is clean. A sanitation court to deal with environment-related cases is also being constituted. Mr Bonsu expressed concern that Kumasi did not have any international standard conference centre and gave the assurance that the assembly would put up a 2,000-seating capacity conference centre to address that shortfall. The MCE also talked about the untapped tourism potentials in Kumasi and indicated that the assembly would in due course establish a park of international standard to attract tourists from the sub-region. Touching on education, he said that the assembly planned to construct 200-capacity libraries in each of the nine sub-metros to boost teaching and learning and asked for the support of the media in achieving his vision for the metropolis.