Police engage traders over alleged harassment, extortion on Aflao-Accra highway
The Volta Regional Police Command has engaged traders and market women in parts of the Southern Volta Region to hear their concerns following allegations of harassment and extortion by some police officers stationed along the Aflao-Accra highway.
The Volta Regional Police Command has held discussions with traders and market women along the Aflao-Accra highway to gather their perspectives on allegations of harassment and extortion by certain police officers. This outreach, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Wisdom Akorli, was initiated following a petition from youth activist Daniel Jerry Sorokpo to the Inspector-General of Police. The Police command's aim is to understand the experiences of traders and road users firsthand to address any identified misconduct.
The engagement began in Sogakope and proceeded through Akatsi and Agbozume, culminating in Aflao. Chief Inspector Francis Kwaku Gomado, the Public Relations Officer for the Volta Regional Police, stated that the exercise was to comprehend the issues on the ground and take appropriate actions against any misconduct. He emphasized that police officers have no authority to demand money from traders or road users simply for transporting goods, and expressed concern over reported detentions of traders for extended periods along the highway, calling such behavior unacceptable.
The petition by Sorokpo alleged that traders who transport goods like rice, sugar, cooking oil, beans, and vegetables were sometimes stopped by police and asked for receipts. Those who could not produce receipts were allegedly coerced into paying money to the officers. Market women also confirmed these allegations, stating some officers demanded sums of up to GH¢50 even for short trips to local markets.
Despite this, traders and market women expressed appreciation for the Police's direct engagement, believing it could help restore trust between them.
Petitioner Sorokpo called for a thorough investigation into the allegations and for appropriate action against any officers found to have acted unlawfully. The outreach is hoped to provide the Police command with direct accounts from traders and other road users to identify areas that require further investigation and action along the Aflao-Accra highway.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
