The Minority in Parliament has accused the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Birim Central, Solomon Kusi Brako, of illegally collecting money from galamsey operators in the Akyem Oda area.
In a statement signed by Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, the group said it was “shocked and scandalised” by the MCE’s own admission that he fined the miners and allowed them to continue their operations.
The issue came to light after some miners who claimed to be NDC branch executives alleged that after paying money to the MCE, he later directed the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat to their site, where their equipment was burned.
According to the Minority, a leaked tape and subsequent media reports prompted the MCE to hold a press conference, during which he confirmed that his Municipal Finance Officer collected the money as “legal fines.”
He even presented receipts to justify the transactions.
However, Mr. Shaib questioned why a government representative would defend such actions, stressing that illegal mining is destroying the environment and undermining the government’s fight against galamsey.
The Minority further argued that the MCE had no legal authority to impose or collect fines, citing the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) and the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which reserve that power exclusively for the courts.
“The MCE acted ultra vires beyond his legal powers,” the statement said.
The caucus also pointed out irregularities in the receipts the MCE displayed, noting that one dated September 25, 2025, was still attached to the receipt booklet, instead of being issued to the payer, a sign, they said, of an attempted cover-up.
Further inconsistencies were found in official records.
The Birim Central Municipal Assembly’s 2026 budget reported total fines of GH₵12,813 for 2025 far less than the GH₵55,000 the MCE claimed to have collected from the miners.
The Minority says this discrepancy raises serious concerns about accountability, transparency, and possible misappropriation at the Assembly.
They have called on the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the Ministry of Local Government to immediately investigate the matter.
“The government must act decisively and transparently to restore public trust and prove that the fight against galamsey is not just rhetoric, but a genuine national commitment,” the statement concluded.
