“Forgive Us”-Chief of Staff Apologises to Church of Pentecost Over Free Zone Boss Galamsey Remarks
Chief of Staff, Dr Julius Debrah, delivered an emotional public apology to the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost after controversial comments by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Mary Awusi, triggered outrage among sections of the Christian community.
The apology, which took place before a solemn congregation, saw Dr. Debrah visibly overcomes emotion as he appealed for forgiveness from the leadership and members of the church, describing the incident as deeply regrettable and unintended.
“Let the whole church forgive us. It was a slip. It wasn’t intentionally done to malign our church,” he said, his voice trembling. “I believe sincerely that you forgive her and forgive us as your children. God bless all of us.”
The controversy stems from remarks made by Dr. Awusi during a public discussion on illegal mining, widely known as galamsey.
In her comments, she reportedly suggested that some influential institutions, including religious bodies, had not done enough to confront the destruction caused by illegal mining, a statement that was perceived by many as unfairly singling out the Church of Pentecost.
Her remarks sparked criticism from church members and observers who viewed the comments as inappropriate and dismissive of the church’s long-standing environmental advocacy and community engagement efforts.
Dr. Debrah, in his intervention, stressed that the government holds the church in high regard and does not endorse any statement that undermines its role in national development.
He emphasized that the incident did not reflect the position or intentions of the administration.
The Chief of Staff’s tearful apology has since drawn mixed reactions, with some praising the gesture as a rare show of humility and accountability at the highest level of government, while others argue that it underscores the sensitivity surrounding the galamsey debate and the need for greater caution in public discourse.
Analysts say the incident highlights the delicate relationship between the state and influential religious institutions in Ghana, particularly at a time when the fight against illegal mining remains a major national concern.
For many observers, Dr. Debrah’s emotional appeal may help ease tensions and reset relations, even as calls grow for clearer communication and broader stakeholder engagement in addressing the galamsey menace.
Source: expressnewsghana.com
About Author
