In the early hours of Tuesday, April 22, a gang of armed robbers launched a violent attack on road users traveling from Donkorkrom to Adawso in the Kwahu Afram Plains.
The incident occurred around 4:00 AM, when the group of eight heavily armed robbers stopped seven vehicles making their way toward the Afram River crossing. Armed with AK-47 rifles, the robbers stole mobile phones and cash from drivers, passengers, traders, and holidaymakers returning from the Easter celebrations.
An eyewitness, who was among the victims, described the harrowing ordeal, noting that the gunmen assaulted passengers, particularly those who were unable to provide significant amounts of money. In one disturbing instance, the robbers slashed the arm of a motorcyclist who attempted to escape during the robbery.
This recent robbery is part of a worrying trend in the Kwahu Afram Plains, which includes the Kwahu Afram Plains North and South Districts. The region has long struggled with frequent highway robberies, often attributed to poor road conditions and insufficient security measures.
In recent years, there had been a temporary decline in such crimes following the intervention of the Ghana Police Service, which deployed the Anti-Robbery Unit and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams to the area under the leadership of former Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
However, robbery incidents have surged again in the Afram Plains over the past few months. Many travelers and traders have fallen victim to these increasingly brazen criminals.
Beyond the immediate loss of valuables, residents are concerned about the growing impact of these robberies on the region’s economy. The Kwahu Afram Plains is often referred to as the country’s food basket, due to its vital role in agriculture. The frequent robberies have discouraged commercial activity in the area, as traders are increasingly hesitant to travel through the region.
Local residents are calling for more robust security measures to curb the rise in highway robberies. As the region continues to face these challenges, there is growing demand for the authorities to address the underlying issues that fuel such crimes—particularly the lack of road infrastructure and security personnel in key areas.
Source: thepressradio.com
