A former Minister of State, Professor Kwesi Yankah, has criticised the Chief of Staff Julius Debrah over his public display of emotion, describing it as misplaced and politically driven.

In a strongly worded write-up on his Facebook on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Prof Yankah has termed unfortunate how the Chief of Staff’s tears, which followed public backlash against comments by the CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority on the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, were not directed at the country’s more pressing challenges.

Julius Debrah cries, apologises to Pentecost Church Chair over Free Zones CEO's attack

He suggested that the apology was influenced by political considerations, especially the potential fallout with religious groups ahead of future elections.

“Seeing a big man publicly cry in a celebratory garment is rare. In truth, though Julius refused to let bygones be bygones. His Government currently grappling with a reset agenda, knows the political implications of offending a church leader who had millions of following,” he wrote.

“Votes in Election 2028 may indeed flee ‘Pentecostally’ if damage caused is not swiftly controlled. The public tears of Julius Debrah, a likely contestant for the presidency, thus had the trappings of Paga reptiles; but it was meant to seal the deal and clear the path for a presidency he eyes,” he noted.

Prof Yankah added that the public reaction to the CEO’s remarks forced a swift response from the Chief of Staff.

He, however, argued that the tears appeared symbolic rather than genuine, questioning their intent.

“The negative public uproar to this, across the country compelled the Chief of staff to quickly transform his 60th Birthday into a tearful anniversary, where he apologised profusely. But tears of a chief of staff would have been more patriotic if they were in response to the nation’s wider tragedy.

“Consider this excerpt from a viral essay by Tony Asare:‘From Bekwai through Brofoyedru, Ofoase Ayirebi, to Oda to Nsawam and back to Accra; every single one was the color of clay. Thick. Dying, Poisoned. Dead. Shame. This is not water. This is running mercury, cyanide, and the fluid corpse of a nation flowing into the sea. Galamsey has won. Ghana has lost the fight.’ It is such a tragedy that qualifies to move a Chief of Staff to public tears, not a CEO’s imprudent rebuttal to wise words,” he stated.

The academician further argued that the Chief of Staff’s emotional display appeared to be a calculated move to repair political damage and strengthen his chances of a future presidential bid.

“The public tears of Julius Debrah, a likely contestant for the presidency, thus had the trappings of Paga reptiles; but it was meant to seal the deal and clear the path for a presidency he eyes,” he wrote.

Prof Yankah, however, maintained that national issues such as illegal mining and its impact on water bodies and public health deserved more attention and emotional response from government officials.

“It is such a tragedy that qualifies to move a Chief of Staff to public tears, not a CEO’s imprudent rebuttal to wise words,” he said.

He backed his argument with concerns raised by experts on the impact of illegal mining on children and the environment.

“Pre-natal exposure to mercury is associated with irreversible brain damage… It increases the burden of chronic diseases, infections, and malnutrition of children. Galamsey isn’t just an environmental problem; it is a slow assault on the Ghanaian child,” he quoted.

He concluded by urging the Chief of Staff to focus on more critical national issues.

Go back to school – Prof Yankah appeals to striking teachers

“Julius, this is what should draw tears from you and the staff you lead. Your Boss indeed confesses that some of your staff are complicit in the assault on Ghana. Julius, weep not for rude CEOs,” he wrote.

Read his full post below:





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