Police Task Force Rakes In 40 Million Cedis In Three Months

Accra, (Greater Accra) 10 Nov.,

About 40 million cedis has been realised by the special task force formed to decongest the city. The money, which has already been paid into government chest were from fines ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 cedis imposed on hawkers and drivers arrested. In an interview with the GNA, Inspector Daniel Dorkpoh of the Greater Accra Police Public Relations Unit, said 651 people arrested in Accra Central alone were tried by various courts in the metropolis from the middle of August to November one. He said the exercise code named ''Operation Enough is Enough'' has come to stay and is not a nine-day wonder. ''It is being sustained despite all difficulties faced in getting rid of the hawkers and drivers. ''The Police are advising all recalcitrant hawkers and drivers to desist from hawking in the metropolis in their own interest as they will have themselves to blame,'' Inspector Dorkpoh said. Inspector Dorkpoh said this team of 200, made up of both the Police an GPRTU, faces logistics problems including lack of vehicles. He said the few vehicles that are commandeered from different police stations are not reliable because they are needed for other duties at the various stations. Inspector Dorkpoh appealed to the government and the AMA to provide the task-force with vehicles for their operational work. He suggested the creation of special courts to try cases from the task force. ''This is because at times some magistrates refuse to accept our cases saying they are tired''. Inspector Dorkpoh said against the background of magistrates not cooperating with the task force, offenders who are detained for 48 hours have to be released. In addition, most of them are pregnant women and some with babies.