Brong Ahafo Police accused of extortion on Techiman-Kintampo highway

The Ghana Haulage Drivers Association has accused Police personnel on the Techiman-Kintampo Highway of extorting monies from them.

Executives of the Association alleged on Adom Dwaso Nsem that the personnel had mounted a 24-hour barrier on that stretch of road and collect bribes from the haulage drivers.

Baba Gonja, leader of the Association said that the policemen take not less than GHS 20 from the drivers sometimes even demanding CFA Francs while those who refuse to pay the bribes are quickly arraigned before court and fined.

The Haulage Drivers Association is made up of trailer drivers from Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali and Ghana.

Baba Gonja noted that the extortion has become a source of worry to the haulage drivers especially those from land locked countries because they end up paying huge sums of money. They have therefore resorted to importing their goods through Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast.

He disclosed that in order to avoid paying the bribes, some of the drivers often decide to take alternative longer routes even when they are tired and this sometimes results in accidents.

The drivers also claimed that four barriers that were mounted from Tema to Paga for security checks have now been increased to 45 where monies are collected from them apart from the already increased toll booths on the roads and appealed for government intervention cautioning that if the haulage drivers stop working Ghana, the country would lose a lot of revenue.

But speaking to Adom News, Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander, DCOP Robert Ayalingo, denied the allegations saying the haulage drivers were throwing dust into the eyes of the media. He asked that reporters come to the region and verify whether the claims were true or not. 

Meanwhile leaders of the Association have disclosed that some of its members who were suspended including, Chairman Issahaku Cash; Secretary, Mohammed Gani; Mr. Akrasi, Mr. Antwi and Bamba Bamba have not been recalled and warned that anyone who transacts business with them in the name of the organization does so at their own risk.

Story: Akuamoah Boateng/Adom News/Ghana