Residents of Sefwi Elluo Krom, a farming and business community in the Bia West District of the Western North Region, are appealing to authorities to intervene as criminal activities continue to rise in the area.
According to the residents, the absence of police presence has created a major security challenge, leading to frequent cases of stealing, robbery, and drug abuse. The community, which is known for its cocoa farming and trading, has become unsafe, especially during the night.
Residents say they are forced to stay awake at night to guard their cocoa beans and other property for fear of theft. Mobile money vendors in the area also say they are compelled to close their businesses early due to insecurity, which is affecting their livelihoods.
In an effort to address the situation, the community mobilized resources over two decades ago to build a police station. However, despite several appeals to the Ghana Police Service and other relevant authorities, the facility remains unopened.
The Assembly Member for Elluo Krom, Louis Afful, expressed deep concern about the worsening security situation. He noted that it has been about 22 years since the community completed the police station, yet no officers have been posted there.
Mr. Afful disclosed that several letters have been sent to the District Chief Executive, the Police Council, and other authorities requesting that the station be commissioned, but no action has been taken.
He recalled that former Commissioner of Police, Nathan Kofi Boakye once visited the station and promised to ensure it became operational, but that promise has still not been fulfilled.
The Assembly Member, is therefore appealing to the current Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to consider the plight of the community and deploy officers to Elluo Krom to restore peace and security.
Residents believe that the establishment of an operational police station will significantly reduce the increasing cases of theft, robbery, and drug abuse in the area.
By Emmanuel Sowah
