Chief of Staff Julius Debrah on Sunday rendered an unqualified apology to the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, during a thanksgiving service at the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) at Trassaco.
The apology, which took place on the occasion of Mr. Debrah’s 60th birthday celebration, follows a week of public tension sparked by derogatory comments directed at the revered clergyman.
The friction began after Apostle Eric Nyamekye raised serious concerns regarding the devastating impact of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, on Ghana’s water bodies and environment.
In a sharp and controversial response, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr. Mary Awusi, cautioned the Apostle, suggesting that the church leader would be “treated as a politician” if he continued such critiques.
Dr. Awusi’s remarks triggered a wave of public backlash, with many Ghanaians and church members condemning the attack on the leadership of West Africa’s largest Pentecostal denomination.
Standing before the congregation and the church leadership, Mr. Julius Debrah became visibly emotional, eventually breaking down in tears as he addressed the Chairman.
He described Dr. Awusi’s remarks as a “slip” and emphasized that they did not represent the stance of the government or the many officials who are themselves members of the church.
“A few days ago, one of our colleagues, Dr. Mary Awusi, slipped a bit against you, and I want, on this occasion commemorating my birthday, to let the whole church forgive us,” Mr. Debrah pleaded.
“It was just a slip. It wasn’t intentionally done to malign our church. I believe sincerely that you will forgive us and accept us as your children.”
The Chief of Staff was joined at the service by high-profile figures including President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, signaling the government’s collective effort to repair the relationship with the influential religious body.
Apostle Eric Nyamekye, known for his calm and diplomatic demeanour, accepted the apology with grace.
Addressing the congregants, he stated that he held no resentment toward Dr. Awusi.
”As for this lady, she has made me more popular,” the Apostle remarked with a touch of humour, calling for calm.
“I think we all have our opinions on issues, so let’s forget about this issue.”
He further urged the public to move past the controversy and refocus on the substantive issues—specifically the environmental protection of the nation’s natural resources.
The event has been widely praised as a masterclass in political humility.
By choosing his 60th birthday thanksgiving to render the apology, Julius Debrah turned a moment of personal celebration into a platform for national reconciliation. Dr. Mary Awusi has also since issued a formal retraction and apology on Accra FM, acknowledging that her comments were offensive to the church leader and the general public. With the apology accepted, both the state and the Church of Pentecost appear ready to move forward, though the underlying debate on the fight against illegal mining remains a pressing national priority.