Market women and commercial drivers along the Aflao-Akatsi highway have appealed to the Ghana Police Service to restore security checks on the busy route while addressing allegations of extortion and harassment involving some personnel.
The appeal follows the apparent withdrawal of police officers from several checkpoints and roadblocks along the highway, days after Volta Regional Police Commander DCOP Wisdom Akorli engaged traders and drivers over complaints about the conduct of personnel.
During a visit to the area, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) observed that police personnel were absent from some of the checkpoints, including locations where officers had previously conducted routine checks.
The development came after DCOP Akorli met the Inspector-General of Police following allegations of harassment, intimidation and extortion involving police personnel stationed along the Aflao-Accra route.
Checkpoints including the Tokor Barrier, Ativuta Toll Booth and Weta-Afiadenyigba Junction Barrier had reportedly attracted complaints from traders and drivers over alleged delays and demands for money from traders who could not produce receipts for their goods.
Although the Ketu Divisional Police Command has not officially confirmed the reported withdrawal, sources told the GNA that the development followed a petition submitted to the IGP by a citizen concerning alleged extortion and harassment at some checkpoints and roadblocks.
After meeting the IGP, DCOP Akorli visited some of the affected locations to engage market women and drivers directly and gather information on their experiences.
However, the subsequent absence of officers from some checkpoints has raised concerns among road users who depend on the police presence for security.
Some traders and drivers who spoke to the GNA stressed that their complaints were not intended to remove police personnel from the highway completely.
Rather, they said, their main concern was the alleged extortion, harassment and unprofessional conduct attributed to some officers.
They explained that police presence along the route served an important security function, particularly because traders and drivers frequently travel with goods and money and could become targets for criminals.
The road users therefore warned that a complete withdrawal of police personnel from the highway could create security gaps and expose travellers to criminal activities.
They appealed to the Police Command to reconsider what they described as a total withdrawal and instead strengthen supervision and accountability at checkpoints.
According to them, officers found to have engaged in misconduct should face appropriate disciplinary action, while legitimate police checks should continue.
The traders and drivers said maintaining a professional police presence would help achieve both objectives — protecting road users from crime while ensuring that routine security checks do not become a source of harassment or unlawful demands.
They therefore called for a balance between accountability and security as the Police Service addresses the allegations raised against personnel operating along the Aflao-Akatsi highway.
