The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Birim Central, Solomon Kusi Brakoh, faced intense criticism and public embarrassment during a parliamentary capacity-building and monitoring exercise organized by Parliament’s Select Committee on Local Government and Rural Development.
What initially appeared to be a moment of admiration for the Birim Central MCE quickly turned into a tense confrontation after it emerged that he attended the important engagement alone without the Municipal Coordinating Director, assembly members, or key technocrats from the assembly.
The exercise, which brought together Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) from the Eastern Region, required each MCE or DCE to attend with their Coordinating Director, selected technocrats, and at least seven assembly members to present reports and account for their stewardship at the local level.
However, the Birim Central delegation was conspicuously absent, leaving Solomon Kusi Brakoh standing alone before the committee.
The situation immediately attracted the displeasure of members of the committee, particularly the Chairperson and Member of Parliament for Agona East, Queenstar Maame Pokuah Sawyerr, as well as the Vice Chairman and MP for Agotime-Ziope, Charles Akwasi Agbeve.
Committee members questioned the apparent lack of coordination within the Birim Central Municipal Assembly and expressed concerns about possible cracks between the MCE, the Municipal Coordinating Director, technocrats, and assembly members.
The confrontation intensified after the committee demanded answers regarding the whereabouts of the Municipal Coordinating Director, Peter Kombla Tetteh, and other officials who were expected to accompany the MCE.
“You are disrespecting the committee,” the Chairperson bluntly told the MCE after learning that the coordinating director and assembly members had still not arrived by mid-afternoon despite the programme starting in the morning.
In his defense, Solomon Kusi Brakoh explained that he had been attending to his wife, who had reportedly been admitted to the maternity ward for delivery earlier that morning.
According to him, he had initially relied on the Municipal Coordinating Director and other officials to represent the assembly but later decided to leave the hospital and attend the programme himself after receiving information that no delegation from Birim Central had arrived.
“My wife was delivering, and I had to be with her at the hospital,” he explained to the committee.
However, the explanation failed to convince members of the committee, who insisted that better coordination and communication should have prevailed.
The committee argued that even if the MCE was unavailable, the Coordinating Director and assembly officials should have attended the programme as scheduled.
“So that means when you talk to your office people, they don’t listen to you or what? the chairperson questioned, while another suggested that the development pointed to deeper administrative problems within the assembly.
The exchanges became even more dramatic when some MMDCEs and supporters in the auditorium applauded the Birim Central MCE upon his arrival, prompting sharp reactions from committee members.
The chairperson criticized the cheering, arguing that the focus should have been on accountability and professionalism rather than fanfare.
“You are live on TV, and some of these things you must handle well,” the Chairperson cautioned, stressing that public office holders must demonstrate seriousness and respect for parliamentary oversight processes.
Despite the tense atmosphere, the committee eventually allowed the MCE to proceed with his presentation.
Presenting highlights of activities undertaken by the assembly, Solomon Kusi Brakoh disclosed that the Birim Central Municipal Assembly received over GH¢14 million from the District Assemblies Common Fund in 2025.
According to him, the assembly had used portions of the funds to complete a kindergarten block, a three-unit classroom block, a health centre, and two health checkpoints.
He also disclosed that work had commenced on the government’s proposed 24-hour economy projects within the municipality after the site was handed over to contractors.
On sanitation and flooding challenges confronting the municipality, the MCE admitted that Birim Central continues to battle serious flooding problems due to poor drainage systems.
He explained that the assembly intends to use part of its sanitation allocation under the Common Fund to desilt drains across the municipality.
“The last major drainage works in our municipality happened around 2004,” he stated.
The committee further questioned him about the assembly’s management of disability funds.
Responding to the inquiry, the MCE revealed that the municipality had received GH¢612,855 under the Disability Fund and had so far disbursed over GH¢437,000 to beneficiaries.
Although committee members acknowledged the MCE’s effort in eventually attending the programme despite his family emergency, they emphasized the need for stronger coordination within the assembly.
Vice Chairman of the committee, Charles Akwasi Agbeve, commended the MCE for showing up under difficult circumstances but warned that administrative failures within the assembly could ultimately damage his leadership and political career if not addressed quickly.
“If there are cracks and there is failure, you will be the one who will be smoked out. Your technocrats will still remain in office,” he advised.
Committee members also hinted at possible unannounced visits to various assemblies across the country as part of efforts to ensure accountability and proper utilization of public funds.
The parliamentary oversight engagement forms part of a nationwide monitoring exercise aimed at strengthening local governance, improving accountability, and ensuring effective coordination between political heads and administrative staff at the district level.
By 1960news.com
