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Monday, 15 June 2026
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Monday, 15 June 2026
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Ghanaian press · Person

Dr Mary Awusi

CEO of Ghana Free Zones Authority facing investigation over alleged misconduct and public controversy regarding remarks about illegal mining.

2026-04-262026-06-15

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026
  2. Joy Online

    A petition has been filed at the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), seeking an investigation into alleged misconduct by the CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr Mary Awusi.

    Free Zones CEO Mary Awusi faces CHRAJ petition over alleged misconduct
  3. April 2026
  4. Joy Online

    Cyril Fayose, has pushed back against calls to dismiss Dr Mary Awusi, the CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority.

    Second chance, not sack – Clergy reject calls to remove Free Zones boss
  5. Joy Online

    The issue stems from remarks by Free Zones CEO, Mary Awusi, directed at the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr Eric Nyamekye, over his comments on illegal mining, aka galamsey.

    Apology not enough – Christian Council pushes government to act
  6. Joy Online

    Beyond environmental concerns, the Council also addressed recent controversy involving Dr Mary Awusi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, and Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost and the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC)

    Christian Council backs tougher galamsey fight, urges forgiveness over attack on Pentecost chairman
  7. Joy Online

    The response follows public commentary attributed to Mary Awusi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, who cautioned that Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, could be regarded as a politician if he continued to comment on national issues such

    Catholic Bishops defend church’s voice on national issues, cite moral and divine mandate
  8. Joy Online

    To make Julius Debrah weep, while seeking forgiveness for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the braggadocious statements of a member, Dr Mary Awusi, who also serves as the CEO of Free Zones Board, is an indictment.

    Braggadocious statements, tearful apologies
  9. Joy Online

    king his 60th birthday at the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) Trasacco, where he apologised to Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, over controversial remarks made by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr Mary Awusi

    Prof Kwesi Yankah questions Chief of Staff’s public apology, urges leaders to ‘weep for dying nation’
  10. Joy Online

    king his 60th birthday at the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) Trasacco, where he apologised to Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, over controversial remarks made by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr Mary Awusi

    Prof Yankah questions Chief of Staff’s emotional apology, urges leaders to ‘weep for dying nation’
  11. Joy Online

    The Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has extended forgiveness to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr Mary Awusi, following a recent public controversy over comments on illegal mining.

    “I have forgiven her”- Pentecost chair replies Chief of Staff over apology on behalf of Free Zones CEO
  12. Joy Online

    The Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has extended forgiveness to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr Mary Awusi, following a recent public controversy over comments on illegal mining.

    “I have forgiven her”- Pentecost chair replies Chief of Staff after apology on behalf of Free Zones CEO
Politics

CHRAJ petition filed against Free Zones CEO over alleged misconduct

The News

A petition has been filed at CHRAJ seeking an investigation into alleged misconduct by Ghana Free Zones Authority CEO Dr Mary Awusi, who is accused of misusing official working hours for media appearances and discussions unrelated to her official duties. The petitioners are asking CHRAJ to determine whether her conduct constitutes a breach of public service ethics, administrative impropriety, or misuse of state resources.

Why it matters

A CHRAJ petition alleges the Ghana Free Zones Authority CEO misused working hours for unauthorised media appearances, raising accountability concerns within public service.

19 May 2026 · Joy Online

Tuesday 19 May

  1. CHRAJ petition filed against Free Zones CEO over alleged misconduct

    A petition has been filed at CHRAJ seeking an investigation into alleged misconduct by Ghana Free Zones Authority CEO Dr Mary Awusi, who is accused of misusing official working hours for media appearances and discussions unrelated to her official duties. The petitioners are asking CHRAJ to determine whether her conduct constitutes a breach of public service ethics, administrative impropriety, or misuse of state resources.

    19 May 2026 · Joy Online

Thursday 30 April

  1. Clergy urges grace for Free Zones boss over church comments

    The General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana has opposed calls to dismiss the CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority over controversial remarks about the church, urging instead a measured response that prioritises forgiveness. He acknowledged the incident warrants strong condemnation and firm but proportionate discipline, but argued for second chances rather than removal from office.

    30 April 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Christian Council calls for action beyond CEO's public apology

    The General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana says a public apology from the CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority is insufficient and calls for stronger government action to uphold public standards following remarks she directed at the Church of Pentecost chairman over his comments on illegal mining.

    30 April 2026 · Joy Online

Wednesday 29 April

  1. Christian Council backs aggressive galamsey crackdown, environmental protection

    The Christian Council of Ghana has backed stronger national action against illegal mining, warning that environmental destruction from galamsey cannot continue unchecked and calling environmental protection both a civic and moral duty. The Council plans to launch its Environmental Care and Cleanliness Programme on April 30.

    29 April 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Catholic Bishops defend church's role in national discourse

    The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has defended the Church's involvement in public matters, saying its engagement is a divine responsibility rooted in spiritual and moral mandate, not political activism. The statement responds to commentary that suggested Church leaders commenting on issues such as illegal mining could be regarded as politicians.

    29 April 2026 · Joy Online

Tuesday 28 April

  1. NDC Chief of Staff apologizes for member's statements to church

    Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff of the NDC, delivered an emotional apology to the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost and its congregation over the weekend on behalf of the party, for an outburst by Dr Mary Awusi, CEO of Free Zones Board, against the church chair.

    28 April 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Prof Yankah criticizes Chief of Staff's emotional apology to church

    Prof Kwesi Yankah has criticized Chief of Staff Julius Debrah's emotional public apology to the Church of Pentecost, arguing that national leaders should reserve public emotion for Ghana's environmental crisis from illegal mining rather than political controversies.

    28 April 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Prof Yankah criticises Chief of Staff's emotional apology to church

    Prof Kwesi Yankah, a former Minister of State and academic, has criticised Chief of Staff Julius Debrah's emotional public apology to the leadership of the Church of Pentecost, arguing that national leaders should reserve public emotion for Ghana's environmental crisis rather than political controversies. Yankah contends that illegal mining's destruction of Ghana's environment should be the real cause for national grief.

    28 April 2026 · Joy Online

Sunday 26 April

  1. Pentecost chair forgives Free Zones CEO over mining comments dispute

    The Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has forgiven the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr Mary Awusi, following a public controversy over her comments attacking his remarks about illegal mining's damage to church baptism sites. The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, publicly apologised on behalf of Dr Awusi at a church service, after which Apostle Nyamekye said he bore no ill will and believed the incident had drawn positive attention to the church.

    26 April 2026 · Joy Online

  2. Pentecost Chair forgives Free Zones CEO after Chief of Staff apology

    Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, has forgiven Dr Mary Awusi, CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, following a public dispute over comments on illegal mining. The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, apologized on behalf of Dr Awusi at a church service, and Apostle Nyamekye stated he bore no ill will and had forgiven her.

    26 April 2026 · Joy Online

  3. Chief of Staff apologises to Church over Free Zones CEO remarks

    Julius Debrah, the Chief of Staff, has publicly apologised to the Church of Pentecost leadership for comments made by Ghana Free Zones Authority CEO Mary Awusi that were perceived as critical of the church. Debrah characterised the remarks as a "slip of expression" and asked the church for forgiveness during his birthday thanksgiving service.

    26 April 2026 · Joy Online

  4. Chief of Staff appeals to Church of Pentecost for forgiveness

    Chief of Staff Julius Debrah made an emotional appeal for forgiveness from the Church of Pentecost on behalf of the government, saying remarks attributed to the CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority were not intended to offend. Debrah, alongside President Mahama and Vice President Opoku-Agyemang, made the appeal during a visit to the Pentecost International Worship Centre on Sunday.

    26 April 2026 · Joy Online

  5. Rev. Prof Mante warns against politicising illegal mining fight

    A former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana has called on citizens to oppose illegal mining on moral and national grounds rather than along partisan lines, stressing that the galamsey menace should not become a tool for political point-scoring.

    26 April 2026 · Joy Online

  6. Religious leaders vow to condemn galamsey despite political pressure

    A former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Prof Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, has delivered a forceful condemnation of illegal mining and warned that religious leaders would continue to speak out against galamsey regardless of intimidation or partisan pressure. His remarks follow a recent controversy in which the CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority publicly criticised the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost over comments condemning illegal mining, before issuing an apology.

    26 April 2026 · Joy Online

Dr Mary Awusi — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute