The General Secretary of the Mobile Money Association of Ghana, Evans Otumfuo, has raised alarm over the increasing number of robberies targeting mobile money agents across the country.
Speaking on ABC News GH, he described the situation as “a sad development for the business” and “really troubling.”
According to him, more than 30 attacks have been recorded this year alone, with three agents losing their lives in the Ashanti Region. He also confirmed that the police have arrested four suspects in connection with some of the incidents.
Otumfuo urged the Ghana Police Service to intensify investigations and fast-track legal proceedings to deter other criminals.
“The police service needs to hasten its proceedings so that those at large will be brought to book,” he stated.
He also called on agents to take personal security measures, including investing in surveillance systems, being more conscious of intelligence gathering, and participating in security education.
“They should try to install security if they can afford it and leverage security orientations we’ve been sharing all the time,” he advised.
His remarks follow a recent daylight robbery in Bolgatanga, where armed assailants stormed a mobile money outlet and fled with an undisclosed sum, including GHC 50,000 from the last transaction and GHC 25,000 belonging to a customer.
The incident, captured on CCTV, has been reported to the police, who are analyzing the footage to track down the culprits.
With similar cases occurring frequently, Otumfuo is calling on the government to implement urgent interventions to protect mobile money agents, who continue to be prime targets for criminals.
