Four Police Officers Honoured for Busting Robbery Gang in Wa
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Four Police Officers Honoured for Busting Notorious Robbery Syndicate in Wa
Four police officers in the Upper West Region are being celebrated for something that made a real difference in people’s lives dismantling an armed robbery syndicate that had residents living in fear for months.
The honourees are General Sergeant Mortsi Kwashie Divine, Detective Sergeant Salifu Ishmael Aketisiwin, General Corporal Ernest Ameyaw Akumfi, and General Corporal John Bekaar Vitus. They were recognised by the Upper West Regional Security Council at a ceremony held in Wa on Monday, September 7, 2026.
The award came in direct recognition of their role in identifying and arresting members of a gang responsible for a string of violent robberies across Wa West and the Wa Municipality.
Upper West Regional Police Commander DCOP Francis Yiribaare gave a sense of just how far this syndicate’s reach extended, naming Nyoli, Kulmasa, Ga, Kpenateng, Kulkpara, Dapoha, Pissi, Gadi, and Chogsia as communities affected by their activities.
One attack stood out for its brutality. On August 1, 2026, at Kpenateng Junction, a victim allegedly suffered severe machete wounds after resisting the gang during a robbery.
Yiribaare didn’t hold back in describing what these four officers accomplished. The mentioned Police Officers have demonstrated acts of exceptional courage, initiative and commitment to duty in a coordinated intelligence-led operation which resulted in the disruption of a very notorious robbery syndicate, he said.
According to the Regional Police Command, it was sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance, and coordinated response all guided by the Wa District Police Command that eventually led to the arrest of six suspected gang members on August 8 and 10, 2026.
Those six suspects are now before the court awaiting trial. Two other alleged members, including a suspected armourer, remain at large, with police continuing their pursuit.
Investigations revealed the gang had robbed victims of roughly GH¢25,344 in total GH¢22,070 in cash, plus another GH¢3,274 extracted through forced Mobile Money transfers. Police also recovered seven mobile phones during the operation, some of which victims were able to identify as their own.
For Yiribaare, the officers’ work went well beyond what’s typically expected of the job. He credited their efforts with bringing genuine relief to thousands of residents and helping restore both confidence and economic activity in the affected communities.
That recognition had already translated into something tangible before this ceremony all four officers were promoted on August 12 by the Inspector-General of Police and the Police Management Board, specifically because of their performance on this case.
Regional Minister Charles Lwanga Puozuing, who also chairs the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), praised the officers for their courage and professionalism. But he was also quick to point out that beating armed robbery isn’t a job the police can do alone it requires intelligence sharing, cooperation between agencies, and active involvement from communities themselves.
This ceremony is more than a presentation of awards. It is a solemn recognition of the men and women who have demonstrated that the protection of life, property and public safety requires courage, discipline, sacrifice and an unwavering commitment to duty, he said.
He urged the officers to treat this honour as both a reward and a greater responsibility going forward, encouraging them to continue upholding integrity, accountability, and respect for human rights in their work.
Courage must always be exercised within the law, and the authority entrusted to the Police must continually be used responsibly and in the public interest, he added.
Puozuing also reassured residents that security remains a top priority for the Regional Coordinating Council, pledging ongoing support for security agencies in areas like intelligence gathering, coordination, and community engagement.
For the four officers, walking away with plaques from the ceremony marks more than just recognition for a job well done it’s also a reminder to keep bringing the same professionalism and courage to the work ahead.
