The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh, on Tuesday met with officials of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) over robbery attacks on officers providing security for bullion vans.
The IGP on Monday told banks in the country to acquire fortified bullion vans to cart cash across the country by June ending or have the police withdraw their escort duties for them.
His directive comes on the back of the killing of an officer who was escorting cash at James Town in Accra Monday. The officer who was with the National SWAT team of the Police was escorting the money in the vehicle and was seated in the front seat when he was shot.
In a meeting with BoG officials and Directors of Banks on Monday, the IGP reiterated his earlier threat to withdraw police escort for such vehicles if fortified armoured vans are not provided for such services.
Below is a full statement by the IGP after the meeting
IGP MEETS BANK OF GHANA, ASSOCIATION OF BANKERS
1.The Inspector–General of Police (IGP),Mr. James Oppong–Boanuh has met with the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Ernest Addison, Executives of the Ghana Association of Bankers, and Managing Directors of banks in Ghana to discuss further solutions to minimize the risks associated with moving cash in the country.
2.The meeting, which was also attended by the Second Deputy Governor, Mrs Elsie Addo Awadzi, Directors of BoG and members of the Police Management Board, reiterated that commercial banks will implement the use of standardized equipment for specie and Cash in Transit (CIT) services by 30th June 2021. This will include services outsourced by the banks to any company that performs CIT duties.
3.The meeting also discussed other immediate, medium and long term measures for banks to operate in safe and secured environments. Matters discussed included protective gear for police officers on bank security duties, security background assessment of staff used for cash duties, security of vaults and banking premises, among others.
4.The Police Administration, therefore, assures its officers and the general public of the Administration’s commitment to protecting the lives of police officers in the discharge of their constitutionally mandated duty of maintaining law and order.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
