From Sebastian R. Freiku, Kumasi
Information reaching The Chronicle in Kumasi indicates that the Central Motor Traffic and Transport Division (MTTD) and the Highway Patrol Team of the Ghana Police Service are secretly undertaking motor checks on the blind sight of the Regional Police Command.
In October last year, the Ghana Police Service directed that motor checks across the country be suspended.
The directive has rendered the 80 plus MTTD personnel in Kumasi inactive, except a few of them who are posted to manage traffic and render visibility duties at vantage points.
Currently, two MTTD personnel are assigned traffic management duties every day at the Bekwai Roundabout, KATH Roundabout, Abrepo Junction, KMA, Ridge Police Station, Zoo area and Unicorn House among other sensitive points in the Metropolis.
However, personnel from the Central MTTD/Patrol Team are said to be doing secret motor checks between the early hours of five and seven on a daily basis, against the directive, and on the blind sight of the Regional Police Commander, according to police sources.
The Chronicle has gathered that the Tafo/Pankronu Divisional Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Amissah, arrested two MTTD personnel (names withheld) at the Bekwai Roundabout indulging in unauthorised motor checks recently, but the head of the MTTD has not sanctioned them.
The MTTD personnel were alternating secret motor checks at Buoho, Barekese road, Sunyani road and Boankra among others over the period.
The Chronicle sources reported that the MTTD personnel were stationed at Boankra on the Kumasi-Konongo road last Monday March 27, 2017 for motor checks.
The personnel from Central MTTD have decided to be active and go to the roads and perform motor checks. On Monday February 13, 2017, a police vehicle, with registration number GP 3860, conveyed about five personnel to Buoho in the Afigya Kwabre District to do motor checks around 5.30 am.
Even though, the head of the Ashanti MTTD, Chief Superintendent Frank Abrokwa, has admitted that that police vehicle with registration number GP 3860 “is one of our (police) vehicles,” he says it is incorrect that his outfit is encouraging motor checks, explaining that there is a ban on motor checks, for which the Regional Command has directed the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards (PIPS) Bureau to move round and check.
According to him, anybody caught in the act would be dealt with administratively.
On Friday March 17, 2017, DCOP Ken Yeboah, the new Ashanti Regional Police Commander, was alerted about one such secret motor check on the Barekese road, and gave the assurance that he would take steps to stop the practice.
Chronicle investigations further revealed that the MTTD might have taken advantage of a concession to some seven Chief Inspectors and Inspectors to conduct motor checks for indisciplined drivers on the roads.
One of such permits, which was issued under the hand of the Deputy Commissioner of Police/Ashanti, O. K. Ampofo-Duku, on June 22, 2017, till the expiration on June 2, 2017, allowed checks, specifically on the Oduom, Pakyi No.1, Barekese, Offinso, Mampong and Nkawie, Lake and Bekwai roads.
Under the exercise, the details were to avoid harassing motorists and the travelling public during the course of their duties, and also not to accept gifts, monetary or otherwise, from drivers and the public, as well as show courtesy to all members of the public
A section of the police personnel has frowned on the practice of engaging in unauthorised motor checks, which smacks of encouraging corruption, and called on the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards (PIPS) Bureau of the Police Service to investigate and proffer sanctions against officers found to be involved in the act without delay, to discourage others from giving legs to an illegality with impunity.
Chief Inspector Gordwin Ahianyo of the Public Relations Office of the Regional Police Command responded to Chronicle enquiries that no signal had come to overturn the directive which halted motor checks on roads by MTTD personnel.
He said anybody who indulges in motor checks does so illegally and without authority. “It is not right in the face of the directive, which is still in force,” he told the paper on phone.
The post MTTD personnel engage in secret motor checks … In spite of Police Service suspension directive appeared first on The Chronicle - Ghana News.
From Sebastian R. Freiku, Kumasi Information reaching The Chronicle in Kumasi indicates that the Central Motor Traffic and Transport Division (MTTD) and the Highway Patrol Team of the Ghana Police Service are secretly undertaking motor checks on the blind sight of the Regional Police Command. In October last year, the Ghana Police Service directed that […]
The post MTTD personnel engage in secret motor checks … In spite of Police Service suspension directive appeared first on The Chronicle - Ghana News.
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