Afram Plains: Armed robbers assault passengers, steal cash, phones

Armed robbers attacked road users traveling from Donkorkrom to Adawso in the Kwahu Afram Plains in the early morning of Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

According to an eyewitness and victim, the incident occurred around 4:00 AM when a gang of eight heavily armed robbers stopped seven cars heading to cross the Afram River.

Wielding weapons, including AK-47 rifles, the robbers reportedly stole numerous mobile phones and unspecified amounts of cash from drivers, passengers, traders, and revelers returning from the Easter holidays.

The eyewitness reported that the masked gunmen assaulted passengers, particularly those unable to offer substantial amounts of money.

The robbers also slashed the arm of a motorcyclist who attempted to flee during the robbery, he added.

Residents of the Kwahu Afram Plains, encompassing the Kwahu Afram Plains North and South Districts, have long endured frequent highway robberies, largely due to poor road conditions and inadequate security.

In recent years, robbery incidents briefly declined after the Ghana Police Service, under the leadership of the former Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, deployed the Anti-Robbery Unit and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams to the area.

However, robbery incidents have surged in the Afram Plains over the past few months, with numerous travelers and traders falling victim to gunmen.

Beyond the loss of valuables, residents say the brazen activities of these criminals have reduced commercial activities in the region, widely regarded as the nation’s food basket.

GA/AE