Fire volunteers have no power to try suspects - Fire officer

Agyegyemakunu (Brong Ahafo), 24 Jan. '99,

The Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Fire Officer, Mr John B.K. Ackah, has cautioned anti-bushfire volunteer squads not to constitute themselves into courts to try bushfire cases. They should not manhandle suspected offenders who should rather be handover to personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service or the police. Mr Ackah, was launching this year's anti-bushfire campaign in the Kintampo District at Agyegyemakunu at the weekend. He urged district assemblies to take full advantage of PNDC Law 229, to enact and enforce the necessary by-laws to prevent and control bushfires. Mr Ackah said bushfires are the major cause of environmental degradation and called on district assemblies and the community for assistance.