Kumasi, July 23, GNA - The Ashanti Region recorded 495 fire outbreaks in the first half of the year and properties estimated at over 28 billion cedis (2.8 million Ghana cedis) were destroyed as against 279 fires the same period last year.

Mr Franklin Masiku, Ashanti Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), who spoke to the GNA in an interview, attributed the sharp increase to severe dry weather conditions experienced between January and March.

He said Kumasi Central Market fire that occurred in March was the single largest outbreak that destroyed property worth 12.4 billion cedis.

Drivers at 37 move back to the roadside

Accra, July 23, GNA - Commercial drivers at the 37 Hospital branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) on Monday moved back to the shoulders of the road to enable construction work to continue at its main station.

The construction works, which began about two months ago, was suspended to make way for a successful hosting of the just ended African Union Summit.

In an interview with GNA, Mr. Hayford Otu, Consultant for LESCOMEX, who are the contractors for the project said, the 37 road was earmarked for use by dignitaries during the just ended African Union Summit the summit, a reason why the drivers were brought back to the station. He said his outfit would finish work in three weeks barring any interruption by the rains, adding that the station would be re-gravelled with some bitumen added.

Mr. Samuel Osei, Chairman of the 37 branch of the GPRTU advised both drivers and passengers to be patient and cautious during the period, adding that the drivers were educated on some safety and precautionary measures before moving to the roadside. He however, called on the police for more assistance in the maintenance of law and order.

On their part, passengers expressed their dissatisfaction with the inconvenience caused by the development and hoped that work will be expedited to bring the situation back to normal.