The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, through the Ashanti Regional Police Command has promised to provide police escorts for members of the Ghana National Tomato Traders and Transporters Association to protect them against armed robbery attacks on the Kumasi-Bolgatanga-Burkina Faso highway.
Following a strike announced by the Association last Sunday on what they call “lack of concern for the security of its members”, the police has put in place measures to ensure absolute protection for the traders. At least 6 traders have died in highway attacks while they were on route to Burkina Faso to buy tomatoes, a situation that compelled the association to embark on a strike to drum home their frustration.
The Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) David Agyeman Adjem assured the association of the deployment of armed police personnel to protect its members whilst addressing the striking tomato transporters and importers in Kumasi.
“The IGP wants me to assure them that he’s already had some armed men deployed on the highway, and that we should also give them escorts as they go about their duties.
“The IGP says that he’s liaising with the Military High Command to see if it is possible to have the military come with us to do the assignment.”
DCOP David Agyeman Adjem
He further called on members of the association to find alternative ways of sending money to Burkina-Faso instead of carrying huge amounts of money on them during their travels.
“One of the things I’ll advise the traders to do is not to carry too much money on them. I think that basically, people attack them because they know they’re carrying huge sums of money.”
DCOP David Agyeman Adjem
On his part, the National Chairman for the Tomato Traders and Transporters Association, Mr Eric Osei Tuffour, lauded the move by the police to protect them. He stated that although they are excited at the measures put in place by the IGP to ensure their safety, they would have to plan with the police within three days and also inform members of the association before the strike can be called off.
“I am very happy today because the rate at which they were robbing us was very unprecedented. We need to plan within two or three days with the police, then the escort will take off, and then we’ll call off the strike action.”
Mr Eric Osei Tuffour
Mr. Tuffour added the association is finding ways to help its members from travelling with physical cash.
“We started engaging a bank in Burkina Faso to address this but there were some challenges which ended it. But, now we want the trade ministry to support us this time to solve this issue.”
Mr Eric Osei Tuffour
Read also: Build production capacity of tomato farmers to reduce importation – FVPAG to Gov’t
