By Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku | Reporting for Ghanaian News Canada | April 24, 2026
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr Mary Awusi, has issued a public apology to Apostle Eric Nyamekye following backlash over remarks she made regarding his stance on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The apology comes after comments made during a radio interview sparked widespread public criticism and intensified debate over the role of public officials in responding to religious and environmental concerns.
Speaking in a follow-up interview, Dr Awusi acknowledged that her earlier remarks may have been inappropriate and clarified that she did not intend to offend the respected church leader or the wider Christian community. She stated that if any of her words were perceived as disrespectful, she sincerely apologises.
Background to the Controversy
The issue originated from comments made by Apostle Nyamekye during the Church’s 48th General Conference, where he raised concerns about the devastating environmental impact of illegal mining.
He highlighted how polluted water bodies are affecting key religious practices such as water baptism, forcing churches in some areas to adopt alternative methods.
Dr Awusi, responding to these remarks, criticised what she perceived as the politicisation of the issue, a response that triggered strong reactions from sections of the public and religious community.
Apology and Retraction
In her apology, Dr Awusi emphasised her deep respect for Apostle Nyamekye, describing him as a leader whose position reflects dedication, discipline, and spiritual commitment.
She noted that her response was driven by her interpretation of his comments but admitted that her delivery may have been misunderstood or poorly received.
Her statement included a full retraction of any offensive remarks and an appeal for understanding from both the Church and the general public.
Public and Political Reaction
The controversy generated significant public attention, with calls from some stakeholders urging the Free Zones CEO to apologise or face further consequences.
The incident has also reignited broader discussions about the intersection of governance, religion, and environmental advocacy in Ghana—particularly regarding the national fight against galamsey.
Broader Significance
Illegal mining continues to be one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges, affecting water bodies, agriculture, and community livelihoods.
The exchange between Dr Awusi and Apostle Nyamekye reflects the growing urgency of the issue and the need for constructive dialogue between state authorities and influential societal institutions such as the Church.
Observers say the apology may help de-escalate tensions while reinforcing the importance of respectful engagement in addressing national concerns.
𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙩𝘼𝙉𝘿𝘼𝙍𝘿𝙎
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘴. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵-𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪-𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘺, 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦.
