Also known as: GFZA
Ghana Free Zones Authority — state body managing special economic zones established in 1995 to promote export-led growth; currently led by CEO Dr. Mary Awusi.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has publicly apologised to the leadership of the Church of Pentecost following recent comments made by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Mary Awusi, which were perceived to be critical of the church. …
Chief of Staff tears as he apologises to Pentecost Church over Free Zones CEO’s conductJoy Online
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has made an emotional appeal for forgiveness on behalf of the government following public controversy surrounding remarks attributed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr Mary Awusi. …
Forgive us, it was just a slip — Chief of Staff appeals for forgiveness from Church of PentecostJoy Online
… His remarks come against the backdrop of a recent controversy in which the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr Mary Awusi, publicly criticised the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, over comments condemning illegal mining. …
‘If people cannot think beyond party, they should stop opening their mouths’ — Rev. Prof Mante warnsJoy Online
… His remarks come against the backdrop of recent controversy reported by Myjoyonline.com, in which the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority publicly criticised the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost over comments condemning illegal mining. …
‘We’re not afraid of anybody’- Rev Prof Mante fumes over ‘attack on clergyman for galamsey commentsJoy Online
… His remarks come against the backdrop of a recent controversy in which the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr Mary Awusi, publicly criticised the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost over comments condemning illegal mining. …
‘We’re not afraid of anybody’- Rev. Prof Mante fumes over attack on clergyman for galamsey commentJoy Online
Member of Parliament for Abirem, Charles Owiredu, has criticised the CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr. …
Free Zones CEO should’ve been sacked for her comments against Pentecost Chairman – Charles OwireduMichael Okyere Baafi, Ranking Member of Parliament's Trade, Industry, and Tourism Committee, praised the Ghana Free Zones Authority's progress in attracting investment and creating employment, and urged management to review the Free Zones Act to keep pace with global trade dynamics and strengthen partnerships with international financing institutions.
10 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Michael Okyere Baafi, Ranking Member of Parliament's Trade, Industry, and Tourism Committee, praised the Ghana Free Zones Authority's progress in attracting investment and creating employment, and urged management to review the Free Zones Act to keep pace with global trade dynamics and strengthen partnerships with international financing institutions.
10 June 2026 · Joy Online →
A technical brief by Dr. Alexander Quaicoe examines Ghana's Free Zones Programme, established in 1995 and launched in 1996 to shift the economy toward export-led growth, using econometric analysis from 1998 to 2022 to assess its impact on exchange rate, economic growth, and inflation while providing reform recommendations.
1 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare is leading a high-level delegation to China to attract strategic investments into Ghana's industrial and agribusiness sectors as part of the government's industrial transformation programme. The delegation, which includes officials from multiple ministries and agencies, is participating in a China–Ghana Investment Forum and touring major industrial facilities in Hubei and Wuhan Provinces.
21 May 2026 · Joy Online →
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 →
Despite Ghana's strong religious presence, the country continues to face corruption, indiscipline and moral decay, raising questions about how faith can meaningfully contribute to national progress. Religious organisations have contributed to education and healthcare, but development requires ethics in leadership and public service beyond ceremonial worship.
18 May 2026 · Daily Guide →
Kojo Adu-Asare, former Adentan MP, has publicly thanked Kwadwo Twum Boafo (CEO of the Financial Intelligence Centre), Julius Debrah (Chief of Staff), Ato Forson and Mohammed Amin Adam (current and former Finance Ministers), and others for their support during his six-year battle with kidney failure and transplant.
16 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Businessman Ernest Ofori Sarpong on Tuesday commissioned a newly constructed 600-bed dormitory for Presbyterian Boys' Senior High School (PRESEC), his alma mater, to mark his 60th birthday. The project, begun in November 2025, is intended to address congestion at the school, which currently has 6,000 students.
7 May 2026 · Daily Guide →
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat arrested a Church of Pentecost Elder, David Bobie Peter, who was working as a foreman at an illegal mining site in Akyem Morso, Asante Akim District. During the operation along the Kume River, the task force dismantled eight Chanfang machines, four wooden gold-washing platforms, and seized twelve water pumping machines, though most of the illegal miners fled when security personnel arrived.
4 May 2026 · Daily Guide →
Prof. Kwesi Yankah has criticized Chief of Staff Julius Debrah for apologizing on behalf of Ghana Free Zones Authority CEO Dr. Mary Awusi's comments toward a Church of Pentecost leader, saying government should instead focus on environmental pollution and illegal mining. Debrah wept during an apology at his birthday service in response to Awusi's confrontational remarks to Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye over concerns about polluted rivers affecting baptisms in mining areas.
30 April 2026 · Daily Guide →
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 →
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 →
Richard Ahiagbah, the NPP Director of Communications, has called for the removal of the Ghana Free Zones Authority CEO, arguing that stronger action beyond the Chief of Staff's public apology is needed to address what he describes as a broader problem of "politics of insult" and to protect democratic discourse.
30 April 2026 · Joy Online →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
The Chairman of the Church of Pentecost has appealed for calm and reconciliation following public uproar over remarks by the CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Mavis Awusi, which were made in response to church concerns about environmental damage from illegal mining. Apostle Nyamekye said he harbours no ill feelings and urged Ghanaians to move on from the issue.
27 April 2026 · Joy Online →
Reverend Professor Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, has rejected attempts to intimidate religious leaders for criticising illegal mining (galamsey), following warnings from the Ghana Free Zones Authority CEO that Apostle Eric Nyamekye would be "dealt with" if he continued highlighting environmental destruction. Mante insists the church will continue to condemn wrongdoing regardless of political considerations.
27 April 2026 · Joy Online →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
A former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, has condemned illegal mining and declared that religious leaders will continue speaking against galamsey regardless of intimidation or partisan pressure, following a recent controversy in which a government CEO publicly criticised a church leader for anti-galamsey comments.
26 April 2026 · Joy Online →
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 →
Abirem MP Charles Owiredu has criticised the CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority for her comments targeting the Church of Pentecost Chairman, saying she should have been dismissed. This follows the Pentecost leader's remarks about galamsey disrupting baptism practices in rivers, to which the CEO responded by telling him to stay in his clerical lane, though she later apologised.
25 April 2026 · Joy Online →