The Nzema Manle Rural Bank Limited has handed over a police checkpoint to the Ghana Police Service at Allabokazo in the Ellembelle district of the Western Region.

In addition to the checkpoint, the bank donated six barricades to the Ghana Police Service in the district.

The project will provide shelter to police officers deployed for routine stop and search duties on the Esiama to Elubo highway.

The project is valued at GHC24,395.

Before the project's construction, police officers deployed for security operations on the highway had to endure working under the scorching sun.

Their operations come to an abrupt end whenever it rains. The shelter will therefore provide olution to these challenges.

ASP Seidu Kojo, the Operations Commander for Atuabo and Axim Format Police Unit (FPU), revealed that the Nzema Manle Rural Bank built the checkpoint to enhance security in the area without any request from the police.

"I came here in 2023, and when I came, I realized that my men on duty were having issues with barricades for their routing stop and search duties.. Actually, I was there and I had a call from the District Commander that the Nzema Manle Rural Bank has informed him to build a checkpoint at Allabokazo for us, and we came with the bank for the work to be done, and today they have handed over to us", he stated.

Speaking to the media at the short and colourful handing-over ceremony on Friday, August 22, 2025, the VicChairmanan of the Nzema Manle Rural Bank, Alhaji Abdulai Sopiano, expressed happiness over the completion of the project.

"Today is a memorable day for both the bank and the police because the police have been our allies in the banking work we are doing. We have ten branches and wherever these branches are, the police provide extra security for us, so we see police as our friends", he said.

He disclosed the rational behind the facility by stating that, "this was our own initiative, it was not at the request of the police, we through our own observation and we realized that this checkpoint the police have created on this highway was going to help us a lot and said why don't we also provide them with our widow's mite by supporting them this project and it was during our board meeting that we agreed as part of our corporate social responsibility informed the police to put this facility here and we are happy today we have handed over the project to them for use".

He commended the police administration for creating the checkpoint on the Allabokazo highway to enhance security for residents in the district, especially the bank's customers.

"We cannot operate in an area where there is insecurity, so this is our major road, the road linking Ghana to Ivory Coast, Togo, Nigeria ahd other West African countries, so it is very important road and it is the police who are providing security for us to be safe on the road", he stated.

Alhaji Sopiano further urged the good people of Ellembelle district to be vigilant and conscious of their security and should not hesitate to prompt the police any suspicious movement of unknown persons in their communities.

He also advised the police to continue to discharge their duties professionally without favor or discrimination.

He took the opportunity to appeal to other private and public companies operating in the Ellembelle district to emulate from Nzema Manle Rural Bank by supporting the district.

ASP Samuel Yeboah, the Esiama Divisional Commander on behalf of the Ghana Police Service, expressed gratitude to the bank for the facility and said it would create a safe environment for the officers to do the work without fear.

"On behalf of the IGP, Western Regional Police Commander, Ellembelle District Police Commander, we really appreciate what you have done for us and we say God bless you", he commended the bank.

He, therefore, pledged to ensure the facility is maintained properly.

"The police administration and myself will see to it that we will make good use of it and enhance police operations and also the community", he concluded.

The management of Nzema Manle Rural Bank Limited pledged to give back to society.

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