The Bongo Neighborhood Watchdog Committee, a volunteer security group operating in the Bongo District of Ghana’s Upper East Region, is calling for stronger community vigilance and support from local authorities.
Founded in 2018 and led by Naba Zaakyi, the warrior chief of the Bongo Paramountcy, the committee is made up of young professionals, traders, and other residents committed to improving safety and communication between communities and security agencies.
The committee has outlined several measures aimed at reducing crime and strengthening community responsibility. These include: banning students from roaming the market at night, prohibiting loud music at funerals and other events late into the night, enforcing speed limits for motorbikes on market days, mandating community clean-up exercises every two weeks for all residents, businesses, and institutions, strict enforcement of laws against drug dealers, imposing double-payment penalties for individuals caught stealing, protecting dry-season farmers from theft and vandalism, banning “motor king” tricycles from operating at night without reflectors, lights, and number plates and addressing cases of early child marriage.
Committee members say they regularly engage the police in confidential discussions about local crime concerns and promote a collaborative approach with authorities and justice institutions to improve community safety.
They are appealing to the District Chief Executive, Joseph Akasake Abaa; Member of Parliament, Charles Bawa-Dua; Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamuguri Atanga; the Ghana Police Service; and President John Dramani Mahama for official licensing to expand their operations across the region.
Source: a1radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Anaba Azubire|Bongo
