By: Gloria Amoh
The Department of Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Legon Police, have arrested 6 people for engaging in false fundraising for sick people.
This illegal fundraising has been happening in Accra and Kumasi. Some of the common places in the Accra are; BanYard, McCarthy junction, Pantang junction, Kwashieman traffic light, Nyamekye and Madina Recee junction.
Their operation started at the Madina-Recee-Junction, which later ended in the arrest of 3 people at the Madina-Traffic-Light. Another group at the Pantang junction was targeted by the police based on intelligence received..
The Senior Development Officer at the Department of Social Welfare, Korankye Oduro, cautioned the suspects and said: ”It is illegal to beg on the streets for sick people“.
A woman among the suspects led the police to Lapaz Kofcee Hotel to arrest some people there, but when they got there, the suspects had escaped.
However, some Ghanaians said that these fraudsters have exploited people’s sympathy and compassion for the sick.
The District Commander Superintendent, Cecilia Appiah Ampofo, mentioned that the suspects would be processed for prosecution.