The Mobile Association of Ghana has made a passionate appeal to President John Dramani Mahama and his government to put in measures to address the spate of robbery attacks on mobile money agents.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mr. Charles Addo lamented that within two months of 2025, 13 attacks on their members have been recorded, with five of them killed by the armed robbers who attacked.
He said the decision by the government to scrap the E-Levy, which they proposed, is goodwill and a demonstration that the government remains committed to addressing issues affecting them, which they are extremely grateful for.
But underscored the need for authority to heighten security for mobile money agents.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he said out of the five deaths recorded, three were from the Ashanti Region.
‘’We want to first extend our gratitude to the government for its decision to scrap the E-Levy. It has excited our members and we are grateful for that. We advised the previous government not to implement it, but they refused to listen, and that affected our businesses. Some of our members lost their businesses, and so for the new government to scrap it, we are excited about it.
However, one other major problem we are faced with now is the increase in robbery attacks on agents. Agents are currently grieving due to the recent incidents. Since January, we have recorded 13 robbery attacks on Momo agents, and out of that figure, five of them have been killed. Three of the deaths were recorded in the Ashanti region, with the most recent one being an agent who was murdered in his room. The attackers tied his hands and legs, slit his throat, and made away with his money and phones. In the space of two months, the number of Momo agents killed by armed robbers is five. Those who have been maimed are a lot. We are appealing to the government for support. The mobile money sector plays a key role and contributed to the 5.7% growth rate recorded in 2024. We want the government to heighten security for us.”
He added that the request is not for authorities to provide police protection for the over 450,000 momo agents across the country, but rather for the government to increase security patrols. Throughout the country, police officers riding motorcycles are visible. We want them to be stationed near market centres where agents work. The number of patrols should increase. The second step involves the installation of CCTV cameras. Some of the armed robbers have recently been arrested due to the existence of CCTV cameras.
The government, through the municipal assemblies and other stakeholders, can collaborate together with the association to develop a very strategic security plan. The third point is for the agents themselves to take their security into their own hands. Those who close after work and still operate from home should desist from doing that because it can easily put them in danger. Focusing only on the money will threaten your security. Even banks that deal in large sums of money close at 4:00 pm.”
He warned that if efforts are not deployed by authorities, they will consider protecting themselves: ‘’We will be forced to protect ourselves because the attacks on our members are getting out of hand. We don’t want to get to the point of protecting ourselves by retaliating since that will amount to a serious security crisis, and so authorities must step in immediately.’’
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
