Thieves have stolen parts of a tipper truck which is part of the District Road Improvement Project (DRIP) equipment at Konongo, in the Asante Akim Central Municipality.
The newly deployed truck was parked together with other DRIP equipment at the Akim Central Municipal Assembly premises when the unknown persons attacked.
During a routine test on Thursday, August 29, assembly officials noticed that the tipper truck’s battery was missing.
They immediately reported the issue to the police in Konongo.
According to the Municipal Chief Executive for Asante Akim Central, Robert Yaw Kwaakye, the incident could derail the government’s efforts.
He, therefore, condemned the theft while stating that the assembly would step up surveillance to ensure the safety of the equipment.
Meanwhile, the Konongo police have launched a manhunt for the thieves.
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The DRIP initiative was launched by President Akufo-Addo on July 31, 2024, to enhance Ghana’s road network by decentralising road infrastructure development and addressing challenges facing metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs).
It was designed to empower MMDAs with the resources and equipment necessary to rehabilitate and maintain roads within their various jurisdictions and effect meaningful changes.
As part of the initiative, 2,240 units of road equipment including motor graders, backhoes, rollers, wheel loaders, bulldozers, water tankers, concrete mixers, tipper trucks, low beds and other essential machinery were distributed to all MMDAs.
They were acquired through a collaboration between the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) and the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development.