Police officers, along with personnel from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the military, were involved in a 30-minute gun battle on October 9, 2024, at the Missiga checkpoint in Bawku, Upper East Region.
The confrontation was triggered by a truck, registered AS 5551-21, that was suspected of smuggling cocoa beans to neighboring Togo through the Pulmakom border.
The police intercepted the truck, which had been traveling from Kumasi and was believed to be carrying cocoa beans.
After their initial suspicion, the police ordered the truck to be sent back to Bawku for further investigation.
However, when the truck reached Pulmakom, GRA and military officers stationed there resisted the police’s decision, arguing that it was their responsibility to inspect the goods, not the police’s.
This disagreement quickly escalated into a standoff, and gunfire was exchanged between the two groups.
As the situation intensified, military reinforcements arrived from Bazua, increasing the tension. Despite the intense exchange, an agreement was eventually reached after 30 minutes of gunfire, and the truck was thoroughly searched.
During the search, 20 bags of cocoa beans were discovered, confirming the initial suspicion of smuggling. Following the discovery, the truck was handed over to the GRA for further investigation.
This clash highlights the ongoing challenges at Ghana’s borders, especially in combating the illegal transportation of cocoa across neighboring countries.
The conflict also underscores the complexity of enforcement duties between different security agencies, and how these responsibilities can sometimes lead to tensions and misunderstandings.
Ultimately, the authorities are now investigating the incident further, with the aim of cracking down on cocoa smuggling.
Source:Onua Tv
