THE SOFOLINE Divisional Police Commander, DSP Vitus Napen has advised traders, especially market women in Kumasi, to refrain from publicly displaying their money in public, in order to avoid becoming targets of armed robbers and other unscrupulous elements in the society.
DSP Napen further advised them to use electronic transaction methods, such as E-Zwich, or save with banks that have nationwide coverage, in order to prevent the danger of being robbed of their physical cash.
The Police Commander gave the advice when he gave a speech on personal security for traders and market women during the official inauguration of Hwe Dee Awurade Aye Fun Club, an association of traders operating at the Bantama Market in Kumasi.
DSP Napen said personal security was very necessary since it would help complement the efforts of the police in protecting lives and property.
He said as traders and market women who deal in buying and selling, they are easy targets of robbers and other miscreants in the society, stressing that the situation is often exacerbated by the fact that most often these women display their sales in the full glare of the public.
The Police Boss said it was necessary for the traders to engage the services of mobile bankers or open accounts with recognized financial institutions so that their money will be kept safe for them.
“Usually, these market women become easy targets for robbers because they (robbers) know that the women normally carry a lot of money on them, but if they can register with electronic transactions such as E-Zwich, Credit Cards or the banking the system, I am sure their monies will be safe,” he emphasized.
DSP Napen further stressed the need for the traders to also ensure peaceful co-existence with their neighbours, in order to enhance social cohesion and stability.”
Most people live in neighbourhoods but don’t even talk to each other, let alone know their contact numbers, so if anything happens it is difficult to come to their neighbour’s rescue,” he noted, stressing that the situation often leads to the incidents whereby robbers attack several houses in one vicinity, without anyone knowing about it.
The Sofoline Divisional Police Commander pledged that his outfit would continue to provide the needed security and protection for the traders and market women operating within the Bantama Market and its environs. “We will continue to engage the women and educate them on personal security, aside the routine activities we undertake in the market,” DSP Napen promised.
The Fun Club, which was formed eight years ago, has three branches in Bantama, Afrancho and Koforidua in the Eastern Region, with a membership of over 600, mostly market women.
Explaining the rationale behind the formation of the club, the National Chairperson and Founder, Maame Afua Kyeiwaa, said members saw the need to come together and work towards their business and welfare. She explained that the Fun Club is meant to provide social and financial support to each other. Additionally, Maame Afua Kyeiwaa said the Club also offers support to orphans and children of deceased members.
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