Former Minister of State and renowned academic, Prof. Kwesi Yankah, has criticised Chief of Staff Julius Debrah’s emotional public apology to the Church of Pentecost, arguing that Ghana’s leaders should reserve such displays of emotion for the country’s worsening environmental crisis rather than political controversies.
In a strongly worded opinion piece titled “Weep Not Julius, Mourn Your Dying Nation,” published on Facebook on Tuesday, April 28, Prof. Yankah described the Chief of Staff’s tears as misplaced at a time when illegal mining continues to devastate Ghana’s rivers and forests.
Background to the controversy
Mr. Debrah became emotional during a thanksgiving service held at the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) Trasacco to mark his 60th birthday. During the service, he apologised to Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, over controversial comments made by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr. Mary Awusi.
The controversy began after Apostle Nyamekye lamented the impact of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, on water bodies, revealing that some polluted rivers in mining communities could no longer be used for baptisms. His remarks sparked backlash after Dr. Awusi responded critically, drawing widespread public condemnation.
In his apology, Mr. Debrah described the comments as a “slip” and pleaded for forgiveness on behalf of government officials, a moment that attracted significant public attention and mixed reactions.
‘National tragedy deserves the tears’
Reacting to the incident, Prof. Yankah argued that public emotion from senior state officials should be reserved for issues of national importance rather than interpersonal disputes or political damage control.
He suggested that the Chief of Staff’s emotional gesture appeared more like an attempt to manage the fallout from the controversy than a response rooted in genuine national concern.
According to the former minister, the real issue deserving tears is the destruction of Ghana’s environment through illegal mining activities.
He painted a grim picture of the country’s polluted rivers, referencing descriptions from a widely circulated essay that likened the contaminated water bodies to “the fluid corpse of a nation flowing into the sea.”
Prof. Yankah insisted that the destruction of rivers, forests, and livelihoods should weigh more heavily on the conscience of national leaders than political tensions involving influential institutions.
Health concerns over galamsey
The academic also drew attention to the growing public health implications of illegal mining, particularly the dangers posed by mercury contamination.
Referencing warnings from health professionals and paediatric advocates, he noted that exposure to mercury — especially during pregnancy — can lead to irreversible brain damage, developmental complications, and long-term health risks for children.
He argued that the galamsey crisis has evolved beyond an environmental issue into a serious national health emergency that threatens future generations.
Call for leadership and action
Throughout the article, Prof. Yankah urged political leaders to focus more attention on what he described as the “assault” on Ghana’s natural resources rather than symbolic public apologies aimed at easing political pressure.
He maintained that the scale of environmental degradation in the country demands urgency, honesty, and decisive leadership.
His comments add to the broader national debate over government’s handling of illegal mining and the growing expectation for stronger political action against environmental destruction.
Although Apostle Nyamekye accepted the Chief of Staff’s apology and publicly stated that he harboured no resentment toward Dr. Awusi, discussions continue over whether Mr. Debrah’s emotional response reflected humility, political strategy, or both.