The Minority in Parliament has called on President John Dramani Mahama to immediately sanction the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Birim Central, Mr. Solomon Kusi Brako, over allegations of extorting money from illegal miners under the guise of ‘legal fines.’
The Caucus accused the MCE of gross misconduct and complicity in illegal mining, describing his actions as a betrayal of the President’s fight against galamsey.
Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday, the Second Deputy Minority Whip, Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shuaib, indicated that the embattled MCE admitted during a press conference that monies were indeed collected from illegal miners in the Akyem Oda environs areas, purportedly as fines. He claimed that the funds were handled by the municipal finance officer.
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“He himself confirmed that it was the municipal finance officer who took the money. This is an open admission of wrongdoing. The MCE even went further to display receipts supposedly issued for these payments — receipts we believe were fabricated to cover up his illegal actions,” the Whip stated
Citing the Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), the Minority Whip emphasized that the power to impose and collect fines rests solely with the courts — not MMDCEs.
“Section 162 of Act 936 does not grant any MCE the authority to collect fines. Similarly, Section 46 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) makes it clear that only a court can impose fines or penalties for illegal mining offenses,” he explained.
The Minority alleged that after taking money from the miners, the same MCE directed officials of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce (NAIMOS) to destroy their equipment, prompting anger among the affected individuals, some of whom are said to be NDC branch executives.
“How can a municipal chief executive collect money from illegal miners and then turn around to direct NAIMOS to burn their equipment? This is double-dealing and abuse of office,” Hon. Shuaib stated.
Calling on President Mahama to take swift action, the Minority Whip said the MCE’s conduct undermines the government’s anti-galamsey efforts.
“If the President genuinely wants to fight illegal mining, then Mr. Kusi Brako’s conduct is doing the exact opposite. He has become a law unto himself. We are asking His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama to call this MCE to order immediately. He is causing problems and bringing the government’s name into disrepute,” Hon. Shuaib warned
The Minority reiterated its commitment to supporting any genuine national effort to curb illegal mining but cautioned that the fight would fail if government appointees continued to commercialize enforcement.
“It is time for all municipal and district executives to understand that they must operate strictly within the law. Solomon Kusi Brako must not be allowed to operate above it,” the Minority stressed.