From July 1, banks in Ghana will use armoured bullion vans for cash-in-transit, says Alhaji Iddi Sumaila, President of the Association of Bullion Operators Ghana (ABOG).
He adds that some banks have not yet completed the agreement with ABOG to provide them with armoured bullion vans.
He made these remarks on Friday June 23 on the Sunrise show on 3FM in relation to the robbery attack on a bullion van at Ablekuma in Accra on Thursday June 22, which resulted in the death of a Police officer.
He also disclosed that “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.”
The Bank of Ghana issued a directive in 2021 for all financial institutions to acquire armoured bullion vans for cash-in-transit or risk being denied access to its premises nationwide.
However, after a robbery attack on a bullion van at James Town in Accra on June 14 which claimed the life of a police officer and injured another person, the deadline was extended to July 1, 2023.
The Inspector General of Police also threatened not to escort any vehicle without adequate protection for police officers following several robbery attacks on officers accompanying sub-standard vehicles for cash transfers.
The police are currently hunting for four robbers who attacked a bullion van at Ablekuma Fan Milk, a suburb of Accra and shot the police escort who died later.
The incident occurred after an attempted robbery at the Star Oil Filling Station at Ablekuma Fan Milk where the bullion van had gone to refill.
The four robbers reportedly trailed the bullion van which was on security duties and engaged in a shootout with the police escort.
“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,” a statement from the police said.
“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.”
