Former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, has joined growing criticism of comments made by Mary Awusi targeting Eric Nyamekye, as tensions rise over public discourse on illegal mining.
The controversy stems from remarks by Nyamekye during a General Council meeting of the Church of Pentecost, where he highlighted the environmental and social impact of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey. He warned that pollution of rivers and streams had begun to disrupt religious practices, including water baptism, forcing some congregations to resort to artificial pools.
Awusi, speaking in a media interview, responded sharply, cautioning that the Pentecost chairman risked being treated as a political actor if he continued to comment on such issues — a position that drew backlash from sections of the public.
Weighing in on Sunday, Mante delivered a strong defence of the role of religious leaders in national conversations, insisting that clergy must not be intimidated into silence.
“Tell that woman we are not afraid of her. It is not about the party. We are not afraid of anybody,” he said.
Invoking broader moral authority, he added that wrongdoing must be called out regardless of who is in power.
“If something is a sin, it is a sin, whether it is under Nana Akufo-Addo or John Dramani Mahama or whoever,” he stated.
Mante’s intervention reinforces concerns among religious leaders that criticism of galamsey — widely blamed for environmental degradation and water pollution — should not be politicised.
The exchange underscores growing friction between sections of government and influential faith leaders, many of whom have increasingly used their platforms to highlight the social and environmental consequences of illegal mining.
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