The Upper West Regional Police Command is crediting a homegrown, rights-focused security overhaul for a sharp 42.2% drop in highway robberies this year, as it doubles down on local enforcement and formally rejects calls to bring in external “Maria” units for drug trafficking operations.
The Upper West Regional Police Command says decentralization, not external intervention, is the key to safer streets. From January to May 2025, the region recorded 26 highway robbery cases, down from 45 in 2024 — a reduction of 19 cases, or 42.2% year-over-year.
Sergeant Rashid Abdullah of the Public Affairs Unit said the results validate the Command’s decision to reject outside “Maria” drug enforcement teams in favor of a “human friendly” strategy built in-house.
“We’ve developed our own modules of ranging that respect human rights while enforcing the law. The current structure doesn’t require external ‘Maria’ intervention, and the numbers show our homegrown strategy is working,” Abdullah stated.
Zoning for Faster Response
At the core of the new approach: splitting Upper West Region and Wa Municipality into 7 operational zones. Each zone will see ramped-up policing through snap checks and stop-and-search operations, designed to cut response times dramatically compared to the old centralized system.
Under the previous model, officers often had to travel long distances — from Wa District to Danko, for example — before responding to incidents. The new zones aim to close that gap. “Operations will stay within the law and police regulations. No attacking anybody with impunity,” the Command emphasized.
Community Links and New Hotlines
The Command is working hand-in-hand with traditional authorities, local institutions, and other security services to tighten the regional security architecture. It’s also pushing back against what it calls the “Tijabunyen syndrome,” which officials say impedes prosecutions and justice delivery. The Command reiterated its rejection of the “quote in quote syndrome,” underscoring a commitment not to compromise operations.
To support faster civilian reporting, the Command is rolling out dedicated emergency toll-free numbers for each zone. Residents near landmarks like Home Radio will soon have a direct line to their zonal team for immediate response.
Drug Court Gains
Alongside robbery reductions, the Command reported multiple recent confiscations of substances suspected to be Indian hemp through Drug Court operations. Officials say the seizures reflect sustained pressure on trafficking networks using the same rights-respecting, locally driven tactics.
The Aim
The Upper West Regional Police Command says the overall goal is to uplift the security architecture of the region through decentralization, quicker response, and policing that observes human rights.
“Security is local. When zones own their response, and the community owns their hotline, we all win,” Sgt. Abdullah said.
