By Daniel Bampoe
A deepening political feud between the Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, and the Birim Central Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Solomon Kusi Brako, has taken an extraordinary turn, with the dispute shifting from allegations of illegal mining to a clash between traditional spiritual rites and Christian faith.
The latest chapter in the controversy saw the Akyem Oda MP invoking Proverbs 26:2, which states, “Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest,” after the MCE publicly performed traditional rites at the banks of the Birim River to invoke a curse against him over what he describes as persistent false accusations.
The feud, which has dominated political discussions in the Eastern Region in recent months, centres on repeated allegations by the MP that the Birim Central MCE is either involved in or facilitating illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, within the municipality.
The MCE has consistently denied the allegations, insisting they are false, malicious and calculated to destroy his reputation and influence President John Dramani Mahama to remove him from office.
According to Solomon Brako, he has never participated in illegal mining activities and has become the target of a sustained campaign of misinformation.
On Friday, July 31, 2026, the disagreement reached an unusual climax when the MCE travelled to the banks of the River Birim, where he performed customary rites, poured libation and presented a ram as part of a traditional ceremony invoking the river deity and ancestral gods to judge anyone falsely accusing him of engaging in galamsey.
Addressing the gathering during the ceremony, the MCE maintained that after exhausting conventional avenues to defend his integrity, he had decided to seek justice through traditional means, expressing confidence that the gods would expose whoever was spreading falsehoods against him.
The ritual attracted widespread public attention and reignited debate over the use of traditional oaths in resolving political disputes in modern Ghana.
Responding shortly afterwards, the Akyem Oda MP rejected the spiritual challenge, insisting that as a Christian he had no fear of the curses pronounced against him.
Quoting Proverbs 26:2, Acquah argued that an undeserved curse has no power over an innocent person and urged the MCE to abandon traditional rituals in favour of pursuing legal action if he believed he had been defamed.
According to the MP, the constitutional and legal system provides the appropriate avenue for resolving disputes of that nature rather than resorting to traditional deities.
He further maintained that his allegations regarding illegal mining were not fabricated, insisting they were based on information available to him.
However, while stating that he possesses evidence to substantiate his claims, the MP did not publicly produce any documentary or other evidence during his latest response.
Instead, he reiterated his commitment to continue speaking against illegal mining in the municipality, declaring that neither curses nor intimidation would silence his campaign against galamsey.
The dispute has its roots in earlier accusations by the MP that the Birim Central Assembly was collecting operational fees from small-scale mining companies, which he suggested pointed to the MCE’s alleged facilitation of illegal mining activities.
The MCE, however, dismissed that claim, explaining that the business operating fees were introduced long before he assumed office as Municipal Chief Executive and therefore could not be attributed to his administration.
Political observers note that tensions between the two leaders had briefly subsided following the tragic death of the MP’s special aide, Kofi Nti, in a fatal road accident. During that period, both political camps set aside their differences to mourn the deceased.
Following the conclusion of the 40-day customary observance for the late aide, however, the political rivalry resurfaced, with the MP renewing his public criticism of the MCE over alleged illegal mining activities through various media interviews.
