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0 The Ashanti Regional Police Command says the region remains largely calm and under security control, despite growing concerns about crime in Greater Kumasi.
Public Relations Officer, DSP Godwin Ahianyo, gave this assurance during an interview on Luv FM’s morning show, where he addressed the current security situation following a recent wave of criminal activities.
He acknowledged some cases have been reported in specific localities, but noted Kumasi and its surroundings are not in a state of crisis.
“Kumasi is relatively calm with regard to crime,” he said.
According to him, the police administration has structured the region into three major commands – Ashanti South, headquartered in Bekwai; Ashanti Central, based in Adum; and Ashanti North at Mampong, to enhance strategic coverage and response.
DSP Ahianyo emphasized that monthly briefings from district commanders provide detailed insights into crime trends across the region. In the most recent updates, some divisions, such as Ashanti Central and Suame, recorded no robberies.
However, others like Abuakwa, Tafo-Pankrono, and Asokwa did report a few incidents, with three from Abuakwa, two from Tarfo-Pankrono, and two cases from the Asokwa division, respectively. He admitted that the Abuakwa division has been experiencing challenges.
One of the major concerns raised by the police is a robbery syndicate targeting bank customers. The group operates by planting a member inside bank halls to monitor large cash withdrawals and relay information to accomplices outside.
“They send one of their guys inside bank halls to spy on customers, take note of their car details, and then track them down later to snatch their money,” he said.
He added that these criminals then follow their victims and break into their vehicles to steal the money, often in broad daylight.
DSP Ahianyo cited one high-profile case in which five suspects, including four Nigerians and a Ghanaian, followed a man from the Agricultural Development Bank at Ahodwo Roundabout after he withdrew GH¢107,000, and stole the money from his car. These robbers struck again on March 19 and March 24, targeting someone who had withdrawn GH¢100,000 from the Zenith Bank KNUST branch.
The police have since made breakthroughs in their investigations, with the suspects confessing to multiple crimes.
DSP Ahianyo stressed that through surveillance and intelligence, authorities have traced these acts to the same group, who use a consistent vehicle and often change number plates to avoid detection.
To curb such crimes, DSP Ahianyo revealed that the Ghana Police Service has deployed Intelligence Video Surveillance (IVS) systems at strategic points in the city.
“We have now got monitoring and surveillance cameras in place to keep an eye on everything happening in the city,” he asserted.
Though these cameras are not widespread, they help track and review incidents. He acknowledged the need for more investment in advanced surveillance to improve identification and response times.
He urged the public to avoid carrying large sums of cash and instead opt for electronic transactions like mobile money and also ask for a police escort to withdraw their money.
“If anyone must make a big withdrawal, they can go to the nearest police station and request an escort,” he advised.
