Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, broke down in tears on Sunday, April 26, 2026, as he rendered an emotional apology to the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye over an offensive comment by a member of the government.
The saga began when Apostle Eric Nyamekye, speaking at the Church of Pentecost’s general conference, condemned the devastating environmental impact of galamsey (illegal small-scale mining) on the country’s water bodies.
The church leader noted that rampant water pollution from illegal mining had become so severe that it was hindering the conduct of traditional baptisms in rivers.
His remarks, widely praised by civil society and the general public, quickly drew fire from an unexpected quarter.
The Offensive Remarks
Dr. Mary Awusi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, fired back at the respected church leader with comments widely condemned as disrespectful and threatening.
She warned Apostle Nyamekye to “keep quiet or face consequences,” and dismissed the church’s stance as politically motivated interference.
The remarks sparked immediate and widespread public outrage, with Ghanaians from across the political and religious spectrum condemning Dr. Awusi’s response as an affront to religious freedom, moral leadership, and the rule of law.
Faced with mounting public pressure and calls for accountability, Dr. Mary Awusi retracted her words and issued a personal apology to the Church of Pentecost Chairman.
However, the government went further. Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff, stepped forward to deliver an official apology on behalf of the government — and in a moment that moved many observers, he broke down in tears as he addressed the church leader.
On his part, Apostle Eric Nyamekye responded with notable magnanimity, stating that he holds no grudges.
The church chairman said the controversy had, in an unexpected way, amplified the Church of Pentecost’s mission and brought greater national attention to the urgent fight against illegal mining.
In a related development, the controversy continued to reverberate on Sunday as a former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, delivered a forceful condemnation of galamsey during a sermon at the Victory Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Adenta Frafraha, Accra.
The respected cleric issued a stark warning: political loyalties must never override the moral duty to protect Ghana’s environment.
He pledged that religious leaders across the country would continue to speak out against illegal mining, regardless of intimidation or partisan pressure.
