5 arrested for seizing toll tickets

There are growing concerns over the takeover of public facilities and offices across the country

Five persons were on Thursday arrested at CMB and Makola Market in Accra, for preventing revenue collectors from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) from issuing toll tickets to traders.

The arrested persons, all scrap dealers, are Musah Muship, 25, Abdulai Mohammed, 41, Issahaku Sulemana 32, Adam Mahama 39, and Sulemana Issahaku 32.

“The suspects allegedly seized toll tickets, assaulted the Accra Metropolitan Assemble Revenue Collectors and [also] collected cash to the sum of GHS2,000 from them,” the Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Effia Tenge said.

The Divisional Police Command also arrested the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Amasaman Constituency Chairman Kwame Ofosu Agyei, for force entry and assault.

According to a statement signed by Regional Commander, ACP Timothy Y Bonga, he was arrested “for forcibly entering the Doblo Toll Booth and threatening to take over the revenue collection operations, and in the process assaulted the police officer who was then on duty.”

There have been growing concerns over the takeover of public facilities and offices across the country by persons suspected to be linked with the governing NPP.

The NPP and the opposition National Democratic Congress as well as parliament have condemned the illegal takeovers.

Information Minister-designate Mustapha Hamid has urged the police to bring those causing the mayhem to book. His call follows Thursday’s attack mounted against the school feeding programme in Ejura in the Ashanti Region.

Meanwhile, Director of Public Affairs at the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Cephas Arthur speaking to Class News said they will deal with the situation, bring perpetrators to book and restore law and order.