Two Unit Committee Members Accused of Stealing Civilian Motorcycles in Atimatim East

Atimatim East, Ashanti Region – Two Unit Committee Members of the Atimatim East Electoral Area, Frank Gyamfi and Joshua Nsiah, have come under public scrutiny after being accused of stealing motorcycles belonging to local residents.

The incident came to light on Friday, 5th September 2025, when the Assembly Member for Atimatim East, Hon. Rev. Jeffery Annoh Acquah, received a distress call from a community member reporting the mysterious reappearance of a motorcycle that had been missing for over six months.

The Incident

According to the victim, the motorcycle was originally stolen by unknown individuals. However, when the thieves realized they were being pursued by members of the community, they abandoned the bikes and fled the scene. Local residents later discovered the abandoned motorcycles and reported the situation to Frank Gyamfi, a Unit Committee Member. Gyamfi then contacted his colleague, Joshua Nsiah, and together they retrieved the motorcycles.

Shockingly, instead of reporting the recovery to the authorities or informing the rightful owners, the two allegedly kept the motorcycles without making any public disclosure. It wasn’t until recently that their actions were brought to light.

Police Involvement and Investigation

Upon learning of the matter, Hon. Rev. Jeffery Annoh Acquah urged the victims to report the case to the police, stating that the act constituted a criminal offense.

The case was subsequently investigated by the Atimatim Taabuom Police Station. Investigations revealed that Frank Gyamfi had registered one of the motorcycles in his own name, while his colleague, Mr. Nsiah, allegedly advised him to sell it discreetly in order to avoid trouble.

The two reportedly demanded that the motorcycle owner pay GHC 28,000, but later accepted GHC 1,500 before handing over the motorcycle — an act considered another serious offense.

Following the police investigation, it was confirmed that the Unit Committee Members had indeed defrauded the victim. The affected individuals are now calling on the public to intervene and help recover the money that was unlawfully taken from them.

Breach of Public Trust and Legal Implications

Reacting to the incident, Rev. Jeffery Annoh Acquah expressed deep concern over the behavior of the two Unit Committee Members, who are entrusted with protecting the interests and property of the community.

“How can a Unit Committee Member — someone who is supposed to protect the property of the people — turn around and steal from them?” he questioned.

He also criticized the duo for failing to report the recovered motorcycles to the rest of the Unit Committee or inform him as the Assembly Member. This, he noted, would have allowed for a public announcement to be made so the rightful owners could reclaim their property and the issue referred to the police for proper handling.

Rev. Acquah stressed the importance of moral integrity in public office. He cited Regulations, 1995 (C.I. 10), specifically Regulation 2(d), which states:

“A person shall not be eligible to be a Unit Committee Member if they have been convicted of any offense involving fraud or dishonesty.”

According to this regulation, if a Unit Committee Member is found guilty of theft or any dishonest act, they are legally disqualified from holding public office.

Call for Accountability and Better Oversight

Rev. Acquah emphasized the need for stronger community oversight and urged all elected representatives to serve with transparency and honor.

He added that if the accused individuals had reported the recovery of the motorcycles properly, the matter could have been resolved without involving criminal charges. He also called on the police to continue regular patrols in the area to help reduce the rising number of theft cases in the Atimatim East Electoral Area

Conclusion

As the investigation continues, the community awaits justice and appropriate disciplinary action against the accused Unit Committee Members. The incident serves as a stark reminder that those in public service must be held to the highest standards of integrity and accountability.