Bullion van attack: Bankers embrace new reforms
The Ghana Association of Bankers (GAB) has assured the public that it would comply with the new Cash-in-Transit (CIT) operations requiring armoured vehicles.
This is to ensure the protection of banking staff, customers, service providers, including personnel of the Ghana Police Service, cash and other facilities of banks.
The association has also assured that it would continue to work closely with the various security agencies and the Bank of Ghana (BoG) in ensuring adherence to the highest standards in carting huge cash.
This comes after a meeting between GAB, the Ghana Police Service and the BoG in the wake of the Monday, June 14 attack at Adedenkpo in James Town in Accra.
The daylight robbery led to the death of security personnel General Constable Emmanuel Osei and a 35-year-old hawker, Joyce Amankwah.
In a statement after the meeting, GAB said It was committed and resolved to “working with the national security apparatus and to taking every measure to ensure the highest level of compliance with industry standards.”
The association also said it would strengthen dialogue with the providers of CIT service to develop a comprehensive infrastructure.
Additionally, it would “Implement an aggressively proactive approach to staying at the forefront of the continually evolving security threats that the banking sector is exposed to.”
Against the background of the recent attacks on bank bullion vans, GAB has encouraged customers to utilise the available digital banking channels offered by the industry to minimise the use of cash.
The Association of Bankers used the opportunity to express its condolences and prayers are with the family, friends and work colleagues of the victims of the Monday Jamestown incident.
The meeting
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison, Second Deputy Governor, Mrs Elsie Addo Awadzi, and other directors of the BoG, as well as members of the Police Management Board, attended the meeting.
The leadership of the Ghana Association of Bankers, including the President, Ms Mansa Nettey, Executive Secretary, Mr John Awuah, and managing directors/chief executive officers of banks, were also present at the meeting.
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The Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent of Police, Mrs Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman, explained that the universal banks agreed to implement the use of standardised equipment for special and cash-in-transit (CIT) services by June 30 this year.
She said this during an engagement with the media after the meeting, which also discussed the use of protective gear for police officers on bank security duties.
Security background assessment of staff used for cash duties, security of vaults and banking premises was also predominant during the meeting.
Police Place GHC 20,000 Bounty On Bullion Van Robbers
On the issue of the Monday killing, the Ghana Police Service has placed a GH₵20,000 reward for any individual who would provide information leading to the arrest of the killers.
The Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Supt. Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman made this announcement on Tuesday with a heightened call on the security agencies to bring the perpetrators of the crime to book.