Jerry Ahmed slams NDC's National Day of Prayer initiative

Weija-Gbawe Member of Parliament, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has launched an attack on the government over its organisation of a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, questioning the sincerity of the gesture while the country faces galamsey devastation and flooding.

Speaking in an interview with ChannelOne News on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, the MP did not hold back, arguing that the event is pointless when the government has repeatedly failed to match its words with action on the ground.

He pointed to the deaths of three ministers of state who lost their lives in the line of duty while tackling illegal mining in the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash, insisting that even such a tragic sacrifice failed to jolt the administration into decisive action against galamsey.

"You've had your ministers, ministers of state, who lost their lives just because they were going to deal with an issue of galamsey. We thought that was going to bring this government to its notice, to the extent that they were going to take a serious and critical look at galamsey.

"What is happening to galamsey? It's become unprecedented. Everywhere you pass, there is galamsey," he said.

The MP also took aim at GoldBOD CEO Sammy Gyamfi, criticising what he described as a lavish funeral for his father-in-law while the galamsey menace continues to ravage the country unchecked.

"You come and see people like Sammy Gyamfi today. He will hold his father-in-law's funeral in a lavish and profligate manner, and then we still don't see the need to stop all of this. Then, when people die, you come and say you are doing thanksgiving," he charged.

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When pressed on the NPP's own track record on galamsey during its eight years in power, the MP deflected, turning the spotlight on President Mahama's extensive experience at the helm of national leadership.

"How long has President Mahama been president? How long has he been vice president? Let's stop this kind of cheap politics.

"He's the most experienced person, as we speak right now, when it comes to leadership in this country. All we get is promises," he said.

He further rebuked the national prayer exercise, questioning whether the government truly understands the relationship between faith and action.

"Then you come and stand here and dance and say you are doing thanksgiving. Do you think God does not help those who help themselves?"

Watch the video below:

You’ve had ministers of state lose their lives because they were going to deal with issues of galamsey.—We thought that was going to bring this government to notice and take critical action against galamsey, yet it is now unprecedented.

—Weija Gbawe MP, Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib… pic.twitter.com/ZCFNkistlN

— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) July 1, 2026