National Security operatives in the Ashanti Region, in collaboration with the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), have launched a joint investigation into alleged corruption at the Akom Axle Load Station in the Afigya Kwabre North District.
The move follows a protest by some youth believed to be affiliated with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), who stormed the facility on Monday, June 30.
The protestors accused officials at the station of embezzling funds collected from overloaded trucks and striking off-the-record deals with drivers.
“We are aware that some drivers pay as much as GHS20,000 just to pass with overloaded cargo, and there’s no receipt for it,” one of the protest leaders alleged during the demonstration.
National Security intervention
National Security officers were deployed to the facility to restore calm and ensure continued operations, following the disruption caused by the protest.
The officers have since remained at the station as investigations proceed.
Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Captain (Rtd.) John Kwame Jabari, confirmed the probe during a media briefing.
Captain (Rtd.) John Kwame Jabari stated “they sent a team to meet us at the RCC, where we discussed some of the concerns. The team assured us they would address the issues and follow up. I’m confident they’ll respond by Monday.”
GHA officers accused of running illegal checkpoints
Reports also suggest that some Ghana Highway Authority officers are operating unauthorized checkpoints to extort money from truck drivers, with no official receipts issued.
Officials from both the National Security and the GHA have expressed concern over alleged declining revenue and possible collusion between staff and drivers to bypass axle weight restrictions.
Investigations are ongoing, and authorities have promised swift action if any wrongdoing is confirmed.