President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has clarified that his remarks about illegal mining (galamsey) directed at former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo were not intended to cause embarrassment, but rather to reflect an urgent truth.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, Dwumfour addressed the controversy stemming from his speech at the 28th GJA Awards and the association's 75th-anniversary celebration on September 28, 2024, where he openly lamented the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining. "You have discharged your duty dutifully in all other areas, but we feel that you are failing us in this area - this was the fact," he said, referencing his comments made in the presence of Akufo-Addo, who was the guest of honour at the event.
Dwumfour admitted he wasn't surprised by the former president's reaction. "I wasn't surprised by [Akufo-Addo's reaction] because I was not expecting the president to be happy, especially being my guest - my special guest of honour, absolutely," he said.
He firmly denied any intention to disrespect the former president. "I didn't make such a statement to embarrass the president or to denigrate the presidency.
