In response to escalating armed robbery incidents targeting Mobile Money (MoMo) agents in surrounding areas, the Akatsi North District Assembly has stepped up efforts to strengthen the safety and welfare of these crucial service providers.
Presiding Member Mr. Patrick Kwame Ahiabu convened a vital stakeholder meeting with MoMo agents at the District Assembly Hall in Ave-Dakpa to discuss collaborative security strategies and improve working conditions.
Highlighting the urgency, Mr. Ahiabu urged agents to shift operations from exposed, open spaces to secure, enclosed premises similar to banking institutions, which maintain structured facilities and dedicated security personnel. This measure aims to reduce vulnerability given the high-risk nature of cash handling in MoMo services.
With recent violent robberies recorded in Sogakope, Akatsi, and Aflao, the threat is perceived as moving closer to the district, prompting calls for immediate preventive action. Mr. Ahiabu emphasized the district’s commitment to ensuring Akatsi North’s business environment remains safe and competitive alongside neighboring areas.
The agents voiced strong support for the initiative, acknowledging the lack of formal banking infrastructure in the district as a challenge that forces them to travel to other areas for essential banking transactions, increasing their exposure to criminal threats. They appealed for enhanced security presence and community awareness to mitigate these risks.
Additionally, concerns were raised about motorcycle riders transporting unknown customers to agents’ homes after hours, a practice viewed as a potential security loophole. The Assembly pledged to address this issue in forthcoming meetings.
Encouraging collective action, Mr. Ahiabu advised MoMo agents to join professional bodies like the Mobile Money Advocacy Group (MoMAG) for additional support in safety training, legal aid, and sustainable business practices.
“This partnership between the Assembly and the business community is critical to safeguarding livelihoods and fostering growth in Akatsi North,” he concluded.
The meeting marks a proactive step toward building a safer environment for MoMo agents, whose services remain vital to the district’s economic activity.
