Health workers at Donkorkrom Presbyterian Hospital in Kwahu Afram Plains North of the Eastern Region staged demonstrations on Monday to protest against persistent highway armed robbery attacks.
Residents, traders and workers have endured over a decade of violent highway robberies from Ekye to Donkokrom with many health workers falling victim.
The dreadful robbery gang — often armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns — take advantage of the deplorable road network and poor telecommunication signals to ambush travelers.
Whereas some casualties recorded many who survived were robbed of cash and other valuables after which they flee into the bush.
While previous operations by the Ghana Police Service, including the deployment of special units from the National Headquarters, led to some arrests and the killing of some suspected armed robbers, the attacks have continued unabated.
The latest incident reportedly occurred few days ago which is believed to have triggered the demonstration.
The demonstrators carried placards with inscriptions such as “Protect Our Lives” and “Enough of the Robberies”, the demonstrators decried the psychological trauma they go through when plying the road serve communities in Afram Plains.
In a petition presented to the District Health Director ,the District Chief Executive (DCE), and Police Command,the health workers issued a one-week ultimatum for authorities to take decisive steps to address the situation.
They warned that failure to act would compel all health workers , including the only two medical Doctors serving the entire Afram Plains area, to withdraw their services.
Reacting to the concerns, the District Chief Executive, Mawusi Babanawu said that efforts are underway to improve security in the area, confirming that some individuals connected to the latest robbery incident have been arrested.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
