The Minority in Parliament has called on the Office of the Special Prosecutor to immediately investigate the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Birim Central, Solomon Kusi Brako, over what it describes as “fake fines” allegedly imposed on illegal miners in Akyem Oda.
In a press statement signed by Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, the caucus says it is scandalised by the MCE’s admission that illegal miners were fined various sums of money for mining illegally in the area and then released to continue their activities.
This follows revelations that some of the miners, said to be NDC branch executives, complained after the same MCE who took money from them later directed the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat to their site to burn their equipment.
After newspaper reports based on a leaked tape from an NDC platform, the MCE held a press conference where he confirmed that the Municipal Finance Officer collected the money as “legal fines” and produced receipts to support his claim.
The Minority, however, is questioning why the President’s representative in Birim Central would defend such actions.
“Why will the President’s representative in Akyem Oda defend the imposition of fines for illegal mining, with all its devastating effects, and compromise the President’s supposedly avowed interest in fighting galamsey?” the caucus asked.
The NPP MP further accused the MCE of acting beyond his powers.
“Does the MCE possess the prerogative to collect fines?” it queried, citing the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), which vests the power to impose and collect fines solely in the courts.
The caucus also referenced Section 46 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which states that anyone who contravenes the law commits an offence punishable by a court-determined fine or imprisonment.
“We in the Minority can now say of a fact that the MCE is engaged in ultra vires,” the statement added.
The Minority also cast doubt on the receipts presented by the MCE during the press conference, pointing to inconsistencies that suggest an attempt to cover up alleged extortion.
According to the statement, the MCE showed the “original receipt” still fixed in the booklet — contrary to standard practice where the original is issued to the payer and duplicates remain in the book.
The caucus said this irregularity, coupled with the timing of the receipt dated September 25, 2025, raises suspicion that no real payment was made.
Official records from the Birim Central Assembly also contradict the MCE’s claims.
The Minority noted that while the MCE said GH₵55,000 was collected as fines from illegal miners, the Assembly’s 2026 Budget presentation reported total revenue from fines for 2025 as just GH₵12,813.
“If this payment was indeed legitimate and properly receipted, why does it not appear in the Assembly’s official financial report?” the statement asked, describing the discrepancy as evidence of “possible misappropriation.”
The Minority insists it has credible documents and materials to support an independent investigation.
“We call on the relevant state agencies, particularly the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the Ministry of Local Government, to immediately initiate a probe into the conduct of the Birim Central MCE and officials involved,” the statement signed by Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaibu, concluded.
It added that if the President’s commitment to fighting illegal mining is genuine, “this matter presents a critical test case” for the government’s resolve to tackle corruption and restore public confidence.
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