Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister, has vowed to combat the rising theft of streetlights and their components in the region, which has been causing security and road safety concerns. These thefts, particularly of electrical cables and bulbs, have led to several areas in Kumasi and other parts of the region being plunged into darkness.
Dr. Amoakohene made his statement after touring major roads in Kumasi with key security officials, the Department of Urban Roads, and representatives from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to assess malfunctioning streetlights and strategize on solutions.
The thefts, often occurring under the cover of darkness, pose a significant hazard to both pedestrians and drivers. Dr. Amoakohene emphasized that this crime not only disrupts urban infrastructure but also places a financial burden on the government to continuously repair and replace the stolen parts.
As part of his efforts to curb this issue, he announced that the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) is taking strategic actions to arrest those responsible, and new aluminum parts will be used to replace copper, which is commonly targeted by thieves. The Minister reassured the public that efforts to hold perpetrators accountable would send a strong message to deter future crimes.
