The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Deputy Youth Organiser for Bibiani-Anhwiaso, Adams Smith, has been arrested by the Ghana Police Service over his alleged involvement in the disappearance of excavators seized from illegal mining operators in the area.
The arrest follows investigations into the movement of heavy mining equipment that had earlier been confiscated during anti-galamsey operations in the municipality.
Confirming the development on Adom TV’s Badwam, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, Sebastian Obeng, explained that the machines were originally secured by the Forestry Commission and the Lands Ministry before he assumed office.
“When I assumed office on April 23, 2025, the Forestry Commission and Lands had seized a number of excavators. Because there was limited space at the Assembly, some of them were sent to a place called Malta,” he said.
According to the MCE, the Forestry Manager later alerted him that some of the excavators stored at Malta were being transported with a low-bed truck.
“Last Thursday, the Forestry Manager called to say that someone had gone to transport the excavators with a low-bed. I contacted the Police Commander, and he confirmed receiving the same information,” Mr. Obeng noted.
He said 10 excavators were parked at the site, but three had already been moved before police intervened.
“They had already moved three and were coming for the fourth. So I instructed that the low-bed operator should be arrested, and in the course of investigations, it came to light that the NDC Youth Organiser had granted permission for the movement,” he added.
Through police efforts, two of the excavators were later traced to Juabo in Amenfi Central, while another was recovered from Upper Denkyira West.
Mr. Obeng said investigations are still ongoing to determine whether Adams Smith acted alone or in collaboration with others.
“We are thoroughly investigating to know if it is just him or there are others involved,” he stated.
The MCE further disclosed that the suspect also serves as the Youth Employment Coordinator for the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality.
Although he stopped short of confirming financial inducement, Mr. Obeng revealed there are claims the suspect demanded GH¢600,000 and allegedly received GH¢400,000, with a balance of GH¢200,000 to be paid after the machines were successfully moved.
“I cannot outrightly confirm it, but those are claims that have come up during the investigations,” he said.
He explained that the location where the excavators were parked was previously used by the contractor who worked on the Bibiani-Anhwiaso road project, hence the area was not abandoned.
“The police were supervising the excavators. People live around the area. It is not an abandoned site. I don’t know him to be an illegal miner, but I don’t know if he is secretly involved. That is why we never thought anyone would go there and move the excavators,” the MCE added.
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