BNI officials arrest KMA task force member for extortion

The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) is questioning a security guard of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly for alleged extortion.

Kofi Adu, a member of the assembly's decongestion task force is alleged to have extorted several thousands of cedis from traders.

Metro chief executive Samuel Sarpong said the suspect has been interdicted pending the outcome of the investigations.

According to a report filed by Nhyira FM's Ohemeng Tawiah, the KMA started the decongestion exercise to ease both human and vehicular traffic especially in the central business district of Adum.

Traders have persistently accused the task force of brutality, illegal seizure of wares and extortion.

The assembly said though some of the allegations are unsubstantiated, there are elements within the force who misconduct themselves to create bad name for the assembly the government.

At an emergency meeting to assess progress of work, Mr Sarpong announced a reshuffle of the decongestion team as a first step to bring sanity in the exercise.

Mr Sarpong says he has received reports that some members of the task force harass people and when their victims complain, the security officials would say: “It's your mad government that has brought about the problem".

“I wouldn't hesitate to deal drastically with any person who involves in partisan politics within the assembly,” he indicated.

In spite of these issues, however, Mr Sarpong said the decongestion exercise was largely successful.

Credit: Kwaku Owusu Preprah/Nhyira FM/Ghana