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Church of Pentecost Chairman's galamsey comments spark backlash from Ghana Free Zones Authority CEO
via GhanaWeb3 min read
Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, announced on April 22, 2026, that the church will cease using rivers for baptism due to extensive pollution from illegal mining, known as galamsey. He stated that dedicated baptistries would be used instead to protect members' health. This decision, revealed during the State of the Church Address at the 48th General Conference, drew criticism from Dr. Mary Awusi, CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority and a senior National Democratic Congress figure. Speaking on Accra FM on April 23, 2026, Dr. Awusi accused Apostle Nyamekye of making politically motivated comments and warned him against repeating such remarks, threatening to "deal with him" if he did. She questioned why he had not spoken out against water pollution during the previous administration of former President Nana Akufo-Addo. Apostle Nyamekye's exact words highlighted the health and safety concerns in galamsey-endemic communities and the church's intensified advocacy with government stakeholders to combat illegal mining.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Must ReadDeputy Attorney General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, has commented on the extradition of former MASLOC Chief Executive Officer, Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, to Ghana. In a video shared by JoyNews on Facebook on June 9, 2026, Dr. Srem-Sai responded to questions regarding the extradition, stating, "I'm not sure about that," when asked if he was excited. Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was extradited from the United States to Ghana on June 9, 2026, to begin a 10-year prison sentence. She was convicted in absentia in 2024 on over 70 charges, including stealing, willfully causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering. These offenses resulted in nearly GH₵90 million in losses during her tenure as MASLOC CEO between 2013 and 2016. She was arrested in Nevada in January 2026, and her transfer was approved by the US Secretary of State after a US court certified Ghana’s request. Sedina arrived in Accra under heavy security, reportedly in a wheelchair and showing signs of ill health. This extradition is Ghana’s first from the US since 2009 and has been recognized by the US Embassy as evidence of strong law enforcement cooperation.
Ghana's Attorney General is scheduled to meet with the United States Department of Justice to discuss pending extradition requests between the two countries. This development follows the recent extradition of Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu from the US to Ghana. Ms. Tamakloe-Attionu was convicted and sentenced in absentia by a Ghanaian High Court in April 2024. Ghana submitted an extradition request in July 2024, and US authorities notified the Ghanaian government of her surrender in January of this year. She arrived in Accra on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, and is now in the custody of the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Prisons Service to begin her sentence. Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu confirmed these events, noting that the upcoming meeting will address other extradition matters. There are also public calls for the extradition of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to account for his tenure.
Following the extradition of Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, a former MASLOC CEO convicted on over 70 corruption charges, social media users have praised the US Embassy in Ghana for its law enforcement cooperation. Many see this as a message that justice has no borders and that there is no safe haven for those who loot public funds. However, a dominant question among X users concerns the whereabouts of former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta. While applauding the government and the US Embassy for bringing Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu back to serve her 10-year sentence, thousands are calling for the same urgency to secure the return of Ken Ofori-Atta so he can also face accountability in Ghana. Users specifically mentioned the MSL deal and expressed hope that the law would continue to take its course regarding the former finance minister, who they believe is still at large in the US.