In February 2021, a heartbreaking incident in Ghana’s Eastern Region became a painful reminder of the dangers many police officers face while trying to protect the public. The death of Lance Corporal Moses Nartey shocked communities across the country after reports revealed he was killed during an emergency response to an armed robbery attack along a highway near Akyem Pramkese.
What made the tragedy even more emotional for many Ghanaians was the reported circumstance surrounding the operation — the officers allegedly had no official police vehicle available and were forced to hire a taxi to reach the crime scene.
According to reports from the time, police received a distress call about suspected armed robbers attacking travelers along a stretch of road near Akyem Pramkese in the Eastern Region. The situation was considered urgent, with concerns that innocent motorists and passengers were under threat from heavily armed criminals operating in the area.
Despite logistical challenges, officers reportedly moved quickly to respond.
With no service vehicle immediately available, the officers allegedly hired a commercial taxi and headed toward the scene in an effort to intervene and protect civilians from the ongoing attack.
However, what awaited them was far more dangerous than expected.
Reports indicated that the suspected robbers had allegedly positioned themselves in surrounding bushes near the highway, creating what investigators believed was an ambush point. As the officers arrived in the area, gunfire reportedly erupted.
During the exchange, Lance Corporal Moses Nartey was struck by bullets in the head and chest. The severity of the injuries left little chance of survival. He was later pronounced dead, while another officer reportedly sustained injuries during the attack.
News of the killing spread quickly across Ghana, triggering emotional reactions from both the public and members of the security services. Many expressed grief over the circumstances surrounding the operation, especially claims that officers had to rely on a private taxi due to the lack of an official operational vehicle.
The incident also reignited national discussions about the risks faced by frontline security personnel and the challenges confronting law enforcement agencies, particularly in areas involving equipment shortages and rapid emergency response.
For many Ghanaians, the story of Lance Corporal Moses Nartey symbolized the sacrifices officers make daily — often under difficult and dangerous conditions. While public criticism of policing sometimes dominates headlines, the tragedy highlighted another side of law enforcement rarely discussed: officers entering unpredictable and life-threatening situations in an attempt to protect others.
Armed robbery attacks on highways have periodically posed security concerns in parts of Ghana, with criminal groups targeting travelers, commercial vehicles, and isolated road corridors. In several cases, police officers responding to distress calls have faced heavily armed suspects prepared for violent confrontation.
The death of Moses Nartey became one of the most emotional examples of those dangers.
Years later, many still remember the image of officers rushing into danger without hesitation, despite limited resources and overwhelming risk. The tragedy remains a somber chapter in the history of the Ghana Police Service and a reminder of the human cost often attached to public safety operations.
Lance Corporal Moses Nartey left home responding to a call for help — and never returned.
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