The President of the Association of Bullion Operators Ghana (ABOG), Alhaji Iddi Sumaila has noted that from July 1, banks in Ghana will start using armoured bullion vans in conducting cash-in-transit.
This new directive comes after a recent attack on sub-standard vehicles used in transferring cash. A police accompanying a vehicle transferring cash was shot dead on the spot when armed robbers chased and eventually attacked it.
Mr. Sumaila said banks will have to start using armoured vans for such a purpose. According to him, his outfit has about 150 bullion vans available and that most banks have signed a contract for their deployment.
He has however noted that some banks are yet to finalize the agreement with his outfit.
“By 1st of July we will see banks using armored vehicles/bullion vans. However, other banks have not finalized the agreement with us.”
“We have about 150 bullion vans in the country. Most banks have signed contracts with us to deploy to them. It goes through a process for the banks to get it and that takes time,” he said on 3FM’s Sunrise Show on Friday June 23.
Meanwhile, following the sad death of the police officer who was accompanying the van for Cash in Transit, the Ghana Police have staged a manhunt for the robbers.
The van had reportedly stopped at a fueling station to refill its tank when the armed robbers who rode on a motorcycle attacked it. The police officer who was sitting beside the driver in front was shot dead. The incident has compelled the Inspector General of Police, George Akuffo Dampare to issue a directive cautioning police personnels escorting such vehicles without the necessary protection from the institutions.
He has however sympathized with the deceased’s family and has assured the public that the armed robbers will be arrest.
“The police are on a manhunt to arrest a gang of four robbers who attacked a bullion van at Ablekuma Fanmilk, a suburb of Accra and shot the police escort who has unfortunately passed on.”
“Our prayers and thoughts are with the family of our deceased colleague in particular and all personnel of the Police Service in general.“We wish to assure the public that we will surely get the robbers arrested to face justice,” a statement from the Ghana Police said.
In 2021, a directive from the Bank of Ghana charged all financial institutions to secure protective vans for their operations.
According to it, failure to adhere to the directive, the central bank will not authorize the use of sub-standard vehicles for Cash in Transit (CIT) at any of its premises.
Two years on, the situation has barely improved as many have died through Cash in Transit operations.
The recent event has seen a more intensified call for protective gears for the Ghana Police Service.
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