Police in Ghana’s Eastern Region are calling on MTN Ghana to urgently address persistent mobile network failures in high-risk areas where armed robbers are exploiting communication blackouts to target travelers and residents.
The Eastern Regional Police Command has identified the Adukrom-Aseseeso and Aseseeso-Somanya roads, as well as the Donkorkrom enclave, as particularly vulnerable. Officers say the lack of reliable network coverage has made it difficult to coordinate timely responses to robbery incidents.
“The Adukrom-Aseseeso stretch has a poor connection, and criminals are taking advantage of both the bad roads and weak network coverage to strike,” said ASP Agyare Kofi Okyere, Regional Operations Commander, during the 2025 Stakeholders Forum held in Koforidua.
Police say attackers often use the lack of connectivity to ambush commuters, seize their belongings, and in some cases, leave victims with serious injuries. Delays in contacting law enforcement or seeking medical help have compounded the threat.
In a related concern, Deputy Eastern Regional Police Commander ACP Richard Appiah warned of a rise in attacks on mobile money (MoMo) vendors, who are increasingly being singled out by robbers due to poor security practices and predictable routines.
“MoMo vendor attacks remain a major concern. We’re advising them not to count money openly and to operate from secure cages. Most importantly, they must have emergency contact numbers of the police handy so they can report suspicious activity immediately,” he said.
The police say improved communication infrastructure, combined with vigilance among vendors and residents, is critical to curbing the spread of violent crime across the region. The Command has also stepped up outreach efforts to educate vendors on basic safety protocols and emergency preparedness. Authorities are urging MTN Ghana to treat the request as a security priority.
