The Minority in Parliament has lashed out at the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Birim Central, Solomon Kusi Brako, for allegedly collecting cash from illegal miners operating in the Akyem Oda area.

In a press release 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 and released to continue their operations.

The matter gained attention after some of the miners, who identified themselves as NDC branch executives, complained that the same MCE who took money from them later directed the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat to their site to burn their equipment.

The Minority said, following a leaked tape and subsequent media reports, the MCE held a press conference confirming that his Municipal Finance Officer collected the money as “legal fines.” He also displayed receipts to back the claim.

Mr Shaib has questioned why the President’s representative in the municipality would defend fines for illegal mining when such acts are devastating the environment and undermining the government’s supposed fight against galamsey.

The group also challenged the legality of the MCE’s actions, insisting he had no authority to impose or collect fines. Citing the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), and the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), the Minority said the power to impose and collect fines rests solely with the courts.

“The MCE is engaged in ultra vires,” the statement read.

The caucus further pointed to inconsistencies in the receipts the MCE displayed at his press conference.

They noted that the original receipt — dated September 25, 2025, and still attached to the booklet — should have been detached and issued to the payer. The Minority says this anomaly suggests an attempt to cover up the alleged extortion.

Official records from the Birim Central Municipal Assembly have also raised red flags.

According to the Assembly’s 2026 budget presentation, total fines collected for 2025 amounted to GH₵12,813 — far below the GH₵55,000 the MCE claimed was collected from illegal miners.

The Minority says this gap exposes “serious questions about accountability, transparency, and possible misappropriation” at the Birim Central Assembly.

They have called on the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the Ministry of Local Government to investigate the matter immediately.

“The government must take decisive and transparent action to restore public confidence and prove that the fight against galamsey is not mere rhetoric but a genuine national priority,” the statement concluded.