Gban, Ghana — A community group is sounding the alarm over rising violence in the Talensi District following a recent ambush on police officers, urging for significant improvements in security measures. The Alliance for Gban Development (AGD) condemned the attack that occurred on the evening of June 13, 2025, when four officers on patrol were targeted by unidentified gunmen.
The attack left three officers injured from gunshot wounds, necessitating immediate medical attention at a local health facility in Bolgatanga, after they received reinforcements. This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns that the AGD has repeatedly brought to the attention of local authorities.
Earlier this month, during a press conference, AGD representatives warned about escalating insecurity in the region, a statement that now feels tragically prescient. In response to those concerns, local authorities had deployed ten additional officers to support the mere six police currently stationed in Gban, but the violent episode has called their effectiveness into question.
The AGD criticized the security measures, arguing that the current strategies are inadequate in addressing the persistent threats faced by the community, particularly in a region plagued by violent crime amid lucrative gold mining operations. They point out that officers are still using motorbikes to navigate poor road conditions within a community vulnerable to attack.
“This ought to prompt a serious reevaluation of how security is being managed in this area,” the AGD stated in a recent release, underscoring what they see as a strategic failure by authorities.
The AGD is making firm demands for immediate action from relevant stakeholders. Among them is a call for the provision of at least two armored patrol vehicles by Earl Group International and Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited, with a deadline set for July 2025. Failure to act may lead to organized protests, the group has warned.
They are also advocating for a consistent police presence at key locations in the mining region, emphasizing that such measures should not be temporary solutions but rather long-term commitments to ensure community safety. The group also raised concerns about a lack of progress in addressing numerous armed robbery cases, hinting at possible complicity within local security forces. They are demanding thorough, intelligence-led investigations to hold accountable those responsible for such crimes.
The AGD highlighted the urgent need for action from national security agencies, urging them to move beyond mere promises. “Our community deserves safety, and our police officers should not have to work in constant fear of violence,” stressed John Kpal Bognaab, the group’s Secretary. The residents of Gban and the wider region are calling for decisive measures to ensure their protection amidst ongoing threats.