Two Arrested for Allegedly Impersonating AMA Task Force Officers During Sanitation Exercise
Two young men have been arrested in Accra for allegedly impersonating members of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Task Force and attempting to extort money from a woman during the National Sanitation Day exercise.
The suspects, identified as Enoch Aseda and Johnson Odai Gyebi, are accused of using the names of the AMA and other security agencies to portray themselves as authorised enforcement officers during the exercise on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
Alleged Extortion Attempt
According to reports, the two approached a young woman who was selling items and allegedly attempted to seize some of her belongings, claiming they were conducting official sanitation enforcement.
The woman reportedly told authorities that one of the suspects approached her while she was attending to items kept in a plastic bag and demanded that she hand them over.
She later heard the suspect making phone calls and claiming that the items they had seized were becoming numerous and that others should come and collect them.
The calls allegedly created the impression that he was part of an official enforcement team.
However, their activities reportedly raised suspicion among security personnel, who intervened and arrested the two men.
They were subsequently handed over to the police to assist with investigations into the alleged impersonation and attempted extortion.
AMA Mayor Issues Warning
The incident has prompted Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey to condemn the alleged conduct and warn against individuals using the names of the AMA, National Security or other state institutions to extort money from members of the public.
According to the Mayor, such activities could damage the reputation of the Assembly by creating the impression that genuine AMA officials are involved in extortion.
He described the incident as particularly concerning because it occurred during the National Sanitation Day exercise, which was intended to mobilise residents and businesses to improve sanitation across the city.
Mr Allotey assured the victim and the general public that the matter would be pursued through the appropriate legal processes and that anyone found culpable would face the law.
He further urged members of the public not to make unofficial payments to individuals claiming to be enforcing AMA regulations.
The Mayor stressed that sanitation enforcement must be carried out only by duly authorised personnel and in accordance with established procedures.
