The Ghana Police Service has arrested a key suspect in connection with a high-profile daylight armed robbery at a jewellery shop in Adabraka, Accra, in which GH₵7.5 million was allegedly stolen, raising fresh concerns about cash-in-transit security and the safety of high-value commercial transactions in Ghana.
According to an official statement from the Police, the arrest was carried out through the Office of the Special Operations Assistant to the Inspector-General of Police, following months of sustained intelligence-led operations.
The robbery occurred on November 2, 2024, when proceeds from a gold transaction were being transported to a bank. The Police disclosed that the suspects intercepted the vehicle conveying the cash and launched a violent attack in broad daylight.
“The suspect, together with his accomplices who were armed with AK47 assault rifles, intercepted the victim’s vehicle and fired multiple shots to disperse members of the public,” the Ghana Police Service said. During the attack, the driver of the vehicle sustained injuries, allowing the assailants to escape with the cash.
The arrested suspect has been identified as Salim Mohammed, also known as Fariwata. He was apprehended on November 20 2025 at a hospital in Ashaiman, where he had gone to seek medical attention. Police say his arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the case, which has remained under active investigation for over a year.
The suspect is currently in police custody and is assisting with investigations, while authorities intensify efforts to track down the remaining accomplices and recover the stolen funds.
The development raises important questions for Ghana’s business climate, notably for firms operating in the gold trade, jewellery market, and financial services sector. It has drawn fresh attention to the dangers of physical cash movement in an economy where high-value commodity transactions remain largely cash-based.
These events expose vulnerabilities in cash-handling practices and spotlight the need for stronger collaboration between businesses, financial institutions, and law enforcement. Calls are also growing for increased use of secure cash-in-transit services, insurance coverage, and digital payment alternatives to reduce exposure to violent crime.
The case reflects the security risks confronting businesses operating in cash-intensive sectors. Gold is increasingly driving Ghana’s economic growth, and this is expected to attract more investment into the gold and related industries, emphasizing the need for robust security measures and the critical role of intelligence-driven policing in protecting the country’s commercial ecosystem.
