The Minority in Parliament has accused the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Birim Central, Solomon Kusi Brako, of engaging in extortion by alleged
The Minority in Parliament has accused the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Birim Central, Solomon Kusi Brako, of engaging in extortion by allegedly collecting money from illegal miners operating in the Akyem Oda area.
In a statement signed by Second Deputy Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib, the caucus said it was “deeply scandalized” by the MCE’s admission that illegal miners were fined and released to continue their activities — a move they described as unlawful and contradictory to the government’s anti-galamsey campaign.
The issue came to light after some miners, reportedly NDC branch executives, alleged that the MCE collected money from them but later directed the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat to burn their equipment.
Following a leaked audio recording and subsequent media reports, the MCE held a press conference admitting that his Municipal Finance Officer had indeed collected the money but claimed they were “legal fines.” He even displayed receipts to support his defense.
The Minority, however, challenged the legality of the MCE’s actions, citing the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), and the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which vest the power to impose and collect fines solely in the courts.
“The MCE is acting ultra vires and has no legal mandate to impose fines,” the statement said.
They also raised concerns about inconsistencies in the receipts displayed by the MCE, noting that one supposedly original receipt dated September 25, 2025, remained attached to its booklet instead of being detached and issued to the payer — suggesting possible manipulation.
Further scrutiny of the Birim Central Assembly’s 2026 budget revealed total fines collected for 2025 amounted to only GH₵12,813, far below the GH₵55,000 the MCE claimed to have received from illegal miners.
The Minority says the discrepancy points to “serious lapses in accountability and transparency” and may indicate misappropriation of funds.
They have therefore called on the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the Ministry of Local Government to launch an immediate investigation into the matter.
“The government must act decisively to restore public trust and demonstrate that the fight against illegal mining is not mere political rhetoric but a sincere national commitment,” the statement concluded.