Free Zones CEO’s comments risk undermining galamsey fight- Hamza Shuyini

Member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communication Team, Hamza Suhuyini, has criticised comments made by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr Mavis Awusi, over her response to concerns raised by the Church of Pentecost on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

He argued that the Free Zones Authority boss’s remarks do not reflect the government’s established posture in the fight against illegal mining and risk undermining national efforts to address the environmental crisis.

Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, April 25, Mr Suhuyini insisted that the Church of Pentecost has been consistent and proactive in raising concerns about the impact of galamsey on the environment.

He maintained that the Church’s position cannot be dismissed or mischaracterised, given its sustained engagement on the issue over the years.

“I have not just started following the Pentecost Church of Ghana in terms of the galamsey fight. Indeed, I remember that somewhere in 2022, they launched a campaign on social media through their official page, where they were leading the discourse on galamsey issues.

In 2022, it was not just about speaking about the effects of galamsey; Apostle Eric Nyamekye was actually visiting galamsey pits. So they have been fairly consistent,” he said.

He further stated that Dr Awusi’s response to the Church’s concerns fell short of the tone and coordination expected from government officials involved in the anti-galamsey effort.

“I was alarmed when I first heard the response of the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, a response that I thought did not reflect the composure of our President and the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources when it comes to our holistic strategy in our bid to confront the galamsey menace.

“And so many of us were worried and concerned because this clearly… or the response did not reflect the posture of this government,” he added.

He warned that such remarks risk sending mixed signals about the government’s commitment to the anti-galamsey campaign, particularly at a time when broad stakeholder cooperation is being encouraged.

At the Church’s General Council Meeting, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, highlighted the devastating effects of galamsey on water bodies, noting that some communities have been forced to resort to synthetic pools for baptism due to pollution.

However, in an interview on Accra FM on Thursday, April 23, Dr Awusi said that while she respects the Church leader, his comments strayed into political territory, cautioning him to remain within his religious role.

Source: citinewsroom