The Inspector General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh, has met with the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Ernest Yedu Addison, and other high-ranking banking officials to discuss measures to minimize the risk associated with moving cash in the country.

This was a closed door emergency meeting held on 15^th June, 2021 to deliberate on the robbery incident involving a bullion van and how to proffer solutions to prevent future occurrence of such incident.

The Purpose of the Meeting

Tuesday’s meeting was attended by executives of the Ghana Association of Bankers, Managing Directors of the various banks, the Governor, Directors of Bank of Ghana (BoG) and members of the Police Management Board (POMAB). They had an extensive discussion on measures that banks can take to operate in a safe and secure environment.

Moreover, the engagement also aimed at finalizing deliberations on the replacement of soft-skinned Cash-in-Transit vehicles with armored-plated ones.

The meeting followed an armed robbery attack on a bullion van at Adedenkpo near Jamestown, a suburb of Accra, on Monday, June 14. This resulted in the death of a young Constable Emmanuel who was escorting the bullion van. Eye witnesses said there were about eight robbers that committed the hideous act.

In addition, a pregnant woman who was at the scene during the shooting was also killed after one of the robbers pursued a female staff of the bank who was also travelling with the bullion van. The armed robbers made away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Meanwhile, the IGP in a statement shortly after the attack cautioned the banks around the country to provide armored vehicles by the end of June or face withdrawal of service by the Ghana Police Service.

“The IGP is also reminding the Association of Bankers to provide fortified armoured vehicles for carting currencies by the close of June 2021 as earlier agreed between them and the Police Service, else the Police withdraws its officers for escort duties,” the IGP stated.

At the meeting, the IGP reiterated that commercial banks must implement the use of standardized equipment for specie and cash-in-transit (CIT) services by Wednesday, June 30. He also mentioned that, this will include services outsourced by the banks to any company that performs CIT duties.

Other matters discussed included protective gear for police officers on bank security duties, security background assessment of staff used for cash duties, security of vaults and banking premises, among others.

BoG Assures IGP of Banks’ Compliance

Meanwhile, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana assured the police service that the banks will comply with the directive to provide armored bullion vehicles to ensure the safety of the police officers who are sent on guarding duties at the bank.

On its part, the Police Service also assured the public of their commitment to protecting the lives of officers in the discharge of their duty of maintaining law and order.

The police have launched an investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, unconfirmed Information picked up reveals that one of the armed robbers allegedly involved in the Korle-Bu bullion van robbery has been picked up by personnel of the Ghana Police Service.

The police however, entreats the general public to volunteer any information leading to the arrest of these armed robbers.