The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, is calling for the dismissal of the CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), Dr. Mary Awusi, over her recent galamsey comments against the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost.
According to him, the President needs to act by getting the woman sacked to curb the “politics of insults” in the system.
“We must have a broader conversation about politics of insult, because that’s what this is about, attacking and disrespecting someone simply because they’re expressing their views,” he said on Joy News on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
Mr. Ahiagbah’s call follows an apology by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, which Mr. Ahiagbah indicates signals the seriousness of the matter at the highest level of government.
“To the extent that the Chief of Staff himself will have to take the mic, and apologise for this in front of the President… it demonstrates how all of us Ghanaians reject the politics of insult,” he noted.
The NPP Communications Director, while acknowledging the Chief of Staff’s apology, added that it shouldn’t be the end of the issue, but rather, a stronger action should be taken to deter others from doing same.
“The next step, respectfully, I’ll appeal to the Chief of staff… is for him to consider removing [her] from a post. That is the only way we can mark this moment and say that never again will we degenerate our conversation,” he said.
Ahiagbah explains that the issue goes beyond individual conduct especially when people have the right through the constitution to express themselves.
“…especially when it involves a citizen who has every right protected by this constitution to express their views on national issues, for a political operative to intimidate them… I think that recklessness must be marked,” he added.
Stressing the importance of the consequences in shaping public behaviour, he warned that failure to take a decisive action could embolden others to take similar actions in future.
“There was a point in time when Ghana… rejected a certain behaviour, and somebody suffered for it. And so if I’m considering doing that tomorrow, I should know the consequences,” he said.
Mr. Ahiagbah commended the Chief of Staff for his apology, saying it was unexpected but significant, saying it reflects his personality and belief system. He, however, insisted that the situation requires more than remorse and apology.
“At this point, the next necessary step he must take is to have Madam Mary Awuse removed… That will be instructive. That will be telling all Ghanaians loud and clear that the political class appreciates input from all citizens,” he argued.
Mr Ahiagbah concluded by underscoring that democratic participation must be protected regardless of status or background.
“It doesn’t matter if they are Chief Priests… or they are the bishop… but they are, first of all, a citizen whose voice must not be silenced,” he said.
Weep not Julius, mourn your dying nation – Occasional Kwatriot Kwesi Yankah writes
