Presby Church Fires Free Zones CEO: We Don’t Fear That Woman!

A former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Very Rev. Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, has fired a warning that no political pressure will stop Christian leaders from speaking out against wrongdoing in society.

“We are talking about galamsey and I have heard that there is somebody who says that some senior pastor has talked against galamsey so she is is shouting at him. Tell that woman we are not afraid of her. It is not about party, we are not afraid of anybody”, Rev. Mante noted in a defiant tone and made it clear that the clergy will keep calling out evil in society, especially the scourge of illegal mining, no matter who holds power.

“If people cannot think beyond party, they should stop opening their mouths… We’re not afraid of anybody, no party. We were there before there was a party,” Rev Mante stated when delivering a sermon on Sunday, April 26, at the Victory Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Adenta Frafraha, Accra.

Rev. Mante stressed that religious leaders will continue to condemn illegal mining (galamsey), describing it as both a moral and national concern rather than a political issue, warning that failure to address the problem could have serious consequences for future generations.

“You Ghanaians, you sit there and let the galamsey go on, all your children and grandchildren will die early. Things are so evil. I don’t understand why, he added.

His comments follow a recent controversy involving the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr Mary Awusi, who criticised the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, for speaking out against illegal mining.

The Chairman of Pentecost recently said during the Church’s General Council Meeting that galamsey was affecting baptism rites, explaining that polluted rivers had made traditional water-based baptisms difficult in some areas.

Dr Awusi, in a sharp response, cautioned the Chairman of the church of Pentecost over his comments on illegal mining (galamsey), warning that future interventions could be treated as political statements.

“He’s a man of God, so we’ll forgive him. But next time, he shouldn’t stoop so low to that level. I am telling him. If he descends to that level to behave like a politician, we will deal with him as a politician. I’ve given him reverence because he’s a man of God and the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost,” she said in a recent interview with an Accra radio station.

Her comments sparked widespread criticism, prompting her to issue an apology.

Touching on Dr Awusi’s comment, Rev Mante said, “Tell that woman we’re not afraid of her. It’s not about the party. We’re not afraid of anybody… If something is a sin, it is a sin, whether it is under Akufo-Addo or under Mahama or whoever. If it is evil, it is evil,”

Chief of Staff Weeps His Apology

In a bid to ease tensions, the Chief of Staff, Dr. Julius Debrah, has offered an apology to the Church of Pentecost over the incident.

Speaking at his 60th birthday celebration at the Church of Pentecost in Trasacco, Dr Debrah  broke down in tears when he addressed the matter directly to the congregation and appealed for forgiveness.

“God continue to bless you. But the chairman of our church, you know, myself, Elder Ofosu Ampofo, our Local Government Minister and several others, are members of your church. A few days ago, one of our colleagues, Dr Mavis Awusi, slipped a bit against you. I want, on this occasion to commemorate my birthday, to let the whole church forgive us.

“It was just a slip. It wasn’t intentionally done to malign our church. I believe sincerely that you forgive her and forgive us and accept us as your children. God richly bless all of you”, he said.

Apostle Nyamekye Responds

Meanwhile, Apostle Eric Nyamekye has downplayed the controversy, stating that he holds no grudge and prefers to move forward.

According to him, the situation has increased awareness of his church and its message.

“As for this lady, she has made me more popular. People like that I don’t think about because she has made my church and myself more popular,” he said.

He added that if he had taken offence, he would have addressed it at length, but he has chosen not to escalate the issue.

“If I held anything against her, like standing here to speak for 45 minutes, I would have said something about her. I think we all have our opinions on issues, so let’s forget about this issue,” he stated.