The Ghana Police Service has arrested four field officers of Bills Micro-Credit Limited following a disturbing incident in which a mother carrying a baby was allegedly assaulted during a loan recovery attempt at Ashongman Estate.
The arrests were carried out by the Kwabenya District Police Command on Sunday, March 15, 2026, days after a video capturing the confrontation went viral on social media and triggered widespread public outrage.
The incident, now widely referred to as the Kwabenya loan recovery assault, has also reignited debate about the tactics used by some microfinance institutions in recovering debts.
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According to a police statement signed by Superintendent Juliana Obeng, Head of Public Affairs for the Accra Region, the complainant, 42-year-old Hagar Emaser, reported the matter to police on March 13.
She alleged that four men who identified themselves as officials of Bills Microfinance visited her residence demanding repayment of a loan facility and assaulted her during the encounter.
The suspects have been identified as Denis Wornyo, 38; Albert Amarh, 40; Ebenezer Amartei, 23; and Atsu Lawson, 27.
Police say the four suspects are currently in custody assisting with investigations and have already provided caution statements.
The widely circulated video footage shows the officers engaged in a heated argument with the woman over an alleged failure to repay a GH¢300 loan.
In the clip, one of the officers is seen seizing the woman’s mobile phone. As she attempts to retrieve the device while holding her baby, she loses her balance and falls to the ground.
The footage has drawn widespread condemnation from members of the public and civil society groups who have criticised the use of force in debt recovery.
The Kwabenya loan recovery assault has intensified scrutiny of debt collection practices in Ghana’s growing microfinance sector.
In a separate development, Bills Micro-Credit Limited confirmed that the officers captured in the video have been suspended with immediate effect following a directive from the company’s board, pending the outcome of investigations.
The company condemned the incident and said it had initiated internal inquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
The Accra Regional Police Command has also used the occasion to caution the public, urging victims of assault and other criminal acts to promptly report such incidents for investigation.
Authorities further advised individuals with grievances relating to loan transactions or other civil disputes to seek lawful and peaceful means of resolution rather than resorting to self-help or intimidation.
Observers say the Kwabenya loan recovery assault highlights the need for stronger regulatory oversight to protect borrowers from harassment and intimidation within Ghana’s microfinance industry.
Police say investigations are ongoing, and the suspects remain in custody pending further inquiries.