AMA guard nabbed for slapping trader

An AMA guard, Ali Tawab, 24, has been picked up by the Tesano police for slapping a trader at Abeka yesterday.

The victim, identified as Kwabena Boakye, 23, a shoe seller, according to reports, fell unconscious on the pavement as a result of the hefty slap he received.

He was rushed to the Lapaz Community Hospital by the police for resuscitation. As at the time of filing this report, information received indicated that the victim was still unconscious.

Doctors who were attending to the victim at the health facility, the reports indicated, were still doing their best to resuscitate him.

Some eyewitnesses at the scene yesterday told DAILY GUIDE that the incident occurred around 12:30pm at Abeka Lapaz close to the Ecobank near the Lapaz Container Police Station.

The guards, according to them, often visit the place to drive away traders trading on the pavement.

Yesterday when they arrived, the city guards drew a red line and warned the traders not to cross that line to sell their wares.

They then left the area but returned later to discover that some of the traders had crossed their red line and were selling.

According to the eyewitnesses, the victim was part of the traders who were selling in the area but had not crossed the red line.

The traders’ behaviour reportedly infuriated suspect Ali Tawab, who picked up a fight with some of the traders including the victim.

In the course of the scuffle, Ali Tawab slapped Kwabena Boakye, sending him to the ground instantly.

The victim landed on the pavement blocks on his head, rendering him unconscious amidst the oozing of blood from the head. He was rushed to the Lapaz Community Hospital for treatment by policemen who were invited to the scene.

Initially reports received indicated that Boakye was dead but the police later confirmed that the victim was still alive but in an unconscious state.

Upon receiving the news that Boakye had died as a result of the fall, some traders operating in the area yesterday went wild and blocked parts of the main road.

This caused huge traffic congestion in the area while trading and other activities ground to a halt.

The timely intervention of the Tesano police brought the situation under control.

DSP Edward Tetteh, who led a team of policemen to the scene to ensure safety of lives and property, told the paper that the police were investigating the case.

He said information received indicated that there was a scuffle between the trader and the AMA guard.

Meanwhile, the suspect will be in custody to assist in investigations.