They said the presence of the Special Operations Unit has helped restore order and deterred criminals in the region. But what is the Black Maria and why that name? A publication by GhanaWeb in August 2025 indicated that the term "Black Maria" is rooted in 19th-century Boston, originally referencing a woman named Maria Lee who assisted police in transporting criminals. What have authorities said so far and the next stepsSo far, there has been no formal statement from the Ghana Police Service confirming a permanent withdrawal of the Special Operations Unit from Tamale. Hence, any decision to redeploy the Special Operations Unit would likely be rooted in shifting priorities or resource allocation.

Source: GhanaWeb March 09, 2026 12:57 UTC