Ashaiman Gets New Police Pickup as Philanthropist Ahahji Haruna Invest in Safety and Business

By: John Justice Ahoto and Edward Sebbie

Ashaiman, once notorious for armed robberies and drug related crime, is rewriting its story.

The fast-growing municipality in the Greater Accra Region is steadily expanding in population and infrastructure, transforming from a crime hotspot into a budding commercial hub in West Africa.

But that transformation is not without challenges. Security remains the foundation on which the growth must stand.

Located about 15km northeast of Accra, Ashaiman Municipality shares boundaries with Tema Metropolis to the south, Kpone-Katamanso Municipality to the east, Adentan Municipality to the northwest , and Tema west to the west. It is one of Ghana’s most densely populated urban centers.

In the past, Ashaiman was known nationwide for high-profile crime cases. These include the killing of Trooper Imoro Sherrif on 4th March 2023 at Ashaiman Official Town which sparked national outrage. The municipality was also known for notorious armed robbery syndicates that terrorized commuters on the Accra-Tema Motorway, drug peddling rings, and violent clashes that kept residents on edge. Though security agencies and the Municipal Assembly have worked to reduce crime, the municipality still records pockets of offenses that keep police on constant patrol.

The burden falls on the Ashaiman Divisional Police Command with

Its operational area stretches far beyond Ashaiman township itself, covering Katamanso, Zenu, Kpone, and surrounding communities. That vast jurisdiction, with bad roads, heavy traffic, markets, and expanding residential areas, has left the police stretched thin.

For years, the Ashaiman District Police Command operated with just one patrol vehicle.

“It was breaking down almost every two weeks,” the Ashaiman District Police Commander, DSP Orlando Joseph Adzorkpa said. “With personnel shortages and that single vehicle, effective policing was extremely difficult.”

The result,delayed emergency response, limited night patrols, and officers having to rely on taxis or community support to reach crime scenes. In a municipality of over 150,000 people, that single pickup was simply not enough.

That changed this week when the Command received a brand-new Isuzu pickup vehicle from businessman and philanthropist,Alhaji Rahim Haruna.

Receiving the keys, DSP Adzorkpa described the donation as “a major boost to police operations.” He commended Alhaji Haruna for years of support from sponsoring vehicle repairs and staff motivation programs to now donating a full patrol vehicle.

The Municipal Chief Executive of Ashaiman,Freeman Tsekpo said government logistics alone cannot meet the needs of all the 261 districts at a go .

“The needs of the Police, Immigration and other security agencies far exceed available resources,” he noted. “Support from philanthropists like Alhaji Haruna is invaluable.” He assured that the Municipal Security Council will ensure the vehicle is put to proper use.

For Alhaji Haruna, the gesture is more than policing.

“I kept getting requests to support repairs on the old patrol vehicle,” Alhaji Rahim Haruna said. “I decided it was better to buy a new one so police can patrol better, respond faster, and fight crime effectively.”

He called supporting the police “an investment in the safety of lives and property” and pledged continued support. He also urged residents, especially the youth, to shun crime and drug abuse, stressing that “community cooperation with police is key to peace.”

Alhaji Haruna’s contribution goes beyond security. He is one of the key private investors pushing Ashaiman’s economic transformation.

Over the past decade, he has built and supported Banks to bring formal financial services closer to residents and traders.

He has invested in Shopping malls and commercial centers to serve Ashaiman’s growing consumer market .

Other businesses that are creating jobs and attracting investors to the municipality

“Ashaiman is a fast-growing commercial hub,” Alhaji Haruna said.

With banks, shopping centers, and expanding businesses, improved security is essential to sustain growth and attract more investment in West Africa.

That vision aligns with the Assembly’s plan to position Ashaiman as a trade hub in the sub Sahara Region