The scattered cash on the road
An unusual accident occurred last Friday along the Techiman-Kumasi highway when a Bank of Ghana (BoG) bullion van collided with a petrol tanker leaving one person dead.
In the process, GH¢60.5 million wads of money scattered at the scene of the accident on the outskirts of Techiman at a place in between Opoku Agyemang Hospital and Techiman Senior High School.
A combined team of police, military, Ghana National Fire Service and the Bureau of National Investigations prevented residents from harvesting the windfall.
The security personnel cordoned off the scene and collected the scattered notes into containers before moving them to the Techiman Divisional Police Headquarters.
Preliminary police investigations say the driver of the fuel tanker, Osman Zongo, died on the spot after he reportedly tried to swerve a motorcycle.
It was in his attempt to avoid the motorcycle that he collided with the oncoming BoG bullion van.
Two other persons — William Asare, driver of the BoG van, and assistant driver of the fuel tanker only named as Yussif — were left seriously injured and in critical condition.
They were rushed to the Techiman Holy Family Hospital but later airlifted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, for further treatment.
According to reports, the BoG armoured van with registration DP 4222-19 was carrying a total amount of GH¢60, 500,000 and heading for Techiman from Kumasi, while the fuel tanker also with registration GV 888-13 from Tema was on its way to Burkina Faso.
Divisional Commander of Techiman Motor Traffic Unit of the Ghana Police Service, ASP Andrew Okonengye, confirmed the accident and stated that security personnel quickly cordoned off the location and moved the money to safe custody at the Divisional Command Headquarters at Techiman.
Though not confirmed, it is believed some residents had their share of the scattered cash before security personnel moved in.
danielyaodayee@yahoo.comhave
FROM Daniel Y Dayee & Prince Fiifi Yorke, Techiman