Reports have it that the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has ordered all banks across the country to with immediate effect commence the use of armoured-plated bullion vans for cash movement operations.

The directive is said to have been issued in a letter dated June 23 and signed by Secretary of the Central Bank, Sandra Thompson.

“Failure to comply with this directive in all cash-related activities across the country shall attract severe sanctions,” a letter from the apex bank to the MDs read in part.

According to the Central Bank, this is to ensure “security of cash-in-transit activities and to underscore the Bank’s commitment to protect the lives of both Security Personnel and Bank Staff involved in all cash movements.”

The directive comes after a recent bullion van attack at Ablekuma Fanmilk at the premises of Star Oil filling station where a police officer was shot dead.

The incident reignited calls for the deployment of armoured bullion vans for cash-in-transit (CIT) operations.

Meanwhile, the BoG's directive goes to supersede a Ghana Association of Banks' (GAB) directive that starting July 1, all banks are to start using armoured-plated vehicles for CIT activities.

The Association of Bullion Van Owners of Ghana (ABOG) has also said it has 150 of such vehicles to be deployed come July 1.