The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has apologised to a private pickup driver, Mr Kingsley Boateng, over an alleged extortion incident involving a City Guard and refunded the money collected from him.
The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, formally apologised to Mr Boateng during a press conference on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, after inviting him to the Assembly to clarify that the conduct of the officer did not represent the institution or its approved enforcement procedures.
Addressing the media, Mayor Allotey stated that the AMA did not charge privately registered vehicles used for personal purposes for vehicle stickers, stressing that there was no provision in the Assembly’s by-laws requiring such vehicles to pay the fee allegedly demanded from Mr Boateng.
The Mayor disclosed that the officer involved had been apprehended and detained while further action was being taken in line with the law and the Assembly’s internal disciplinary processes.
He said the money collected from the driver was not taken on behalf of the Assembly but for personal purposes, describing the conduct as unacceptable and contrary to the standards expected of City Guards.
Mayor Allotey noted that the Assembly would not shield any City Guard, Task Force member or other officer found abusing his or her authority and warned personnel against demanding unauthorised payments from motorists, traders, market women, business operators and other members of the public.
Mayor Allotey said the incident had reinforced the need to strengthen accountability mechanisms within the Assembly and urged residents to report misconduct involving City Guards, Task Force members and other authorised personnel.
As part of measures to prevent similar incidents, the Mayor announced the strengthening of the Assembly’s complaints and reporting system under a “See Something, Say Something” initiative and urged the public to report suspected extortion, misconduct or other inappropriate behaviour by AMA officers to 0544 916 4628 or directly to the AMA headquarters for swift action.
The Mayor stressed that officers were expected to enforce the Assembly’s by-laws professionally and lawfully and had no authority to negotiate penalties privately or collect money for personal benefit.
He also urged members of the public to demand official receipts whenever they made payments to AMA officers adding that every official transaction involving the collection of money must be properly documented to promote transparency and accountability.
Mr Boateng, who was present at the press conference, accepted the Assembly’s apology and commended the Mayor and management for what he described as a swift response to his complaint.
He said he was impressed by the speed with which the AMA acted on the matter and expressed the view that such responsiveness could help improve public confidence in state institutions.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
