Traditional leaders of Nogokpo in the Volta Region have given Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, the founder and leader of Perez Chapel International, another one-week ultimatum to apologise for his controversial remark about the town.
The new deadline was announced after a meeting with the National Peace Council and the Somey Traditional Council, which aimed to seek a peaceful resolution for the issue.
Paramount Chief of the Somey Traditional Area, which includes Nogokpo, Torgbi Adamah III, told the media that the one-week ultimatum was meant to obtain an apology and a retraction from Archbishop Agyinasare, who had described Nogokpo as the “demonic headquarters” in the Volta Region
“We have communicated our position to the Peace Council and have tasked the council to communicate that position to the Archbishop.
The Somey Traditional Council is giving the Archbishop a week’s ultimatum to withdraw the controversial comment and render an unqualified apology to the people of Nogokpo, the Somey Traditional Area, and the entire Volta region,” he is quoted to have said.
Torgbi Adamah emphasised that the Traditional Council had instructed its legal team to formally correspond with the Archbishop regarding the council’s decision and stance. He further stated that the commencement of the new ultimatum would be triggered upon the Archbishop’s receipt of the previous communication.
If the Archbishop disregarded the traditional council’s request for an apology, the traditional council “would advise itself accordingly,” the speaker said.
Previous ultimatum expired
The traditional leaders had earlier issued a 14-day ultimatum to Archbishop Agyinasare on June 2, 2023, to appear before them for peace talks or face the wrath of their gods.
They expressed their disappointment and anger over his statement, which they said tarnished the image and reputation of the town and its people.
They also highlighted the historical significance of Nogokpo, noting that it was visited by Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who sought divine assistance from the thunder deity, Torgbui Zakadza, during the independence struggle with the British.
However, the 14-day ultimatum expired on June 16, 2023, without any positive response from Archbishop Agyinasare.
Instead of apologising, he clarified his statement and said that he was not referring to Nogokpo or the Volta Region as a whole, but to a specific incident that occurred after a crusade in Aflao.
He also said that he was a child of God and that they should be careful about trying to harm him.
New deadline set
Torgbi Adamah III said that the traditional council had instructed its legal team to formally communicate with Archbishop Agyinasare about their position and demand.
He said that the new ultimatum would start from the date of receipt of their letter by Archbishop Agyinasare.
He warned that if he failed to comply with their request for an apology within the given period, they would “advise themselves accordingly”.
He also said that there had always been a negative perception of the people of the Volta Region, which affected their marriages and job opportunities and urged religious leaders to be mindful of their language and avoid making divisive comments.
He said that Nogokpo was a peaceful and tolerant town that did not deserve to be labelled as demonic.
The Paramount Chief noted that there had always been a negative perception of the people of the Volta region.
“This should not have been an issue, but the fact that the people of the region have over the years been perceived as bad people, affecting our marriages to other tribes and job opportunities, the Archbishop should not have uttered those comments in the first place.
“He is a respected and experienced man of God who should be uniting people and not passing divisive comments. He must render an apology to put this matter to rest; we are not happy with this at all,” Torgbi Adamah said.
Background
Archbishop Agyinasare made his controversial remark during a sermon on divine protection and evil forces at a summit held at Perez Chapel headquarters in Accra on May 25, 2023.
He narrated how his team faced spiritual attacks after holding a crusade in Aflao and how they encountered a problem with their car when they passed through Nogokpo.
He said: “During this crusade in Aflao, we slept at Agbozume, that was where our hotel was, and you must go through Nogokpo. And Nogokpo is the demonic headquarters in the Volta Region”.
“We only have not said it but the second night I made Bishop Yaw Adu talk about witchcraft and we disgraced the witches and wizards.
“When we were driving from Aflao to Agbozume, immediately we got to Nogokpo, Bishop Yaw Adu’s four-wheel drive, the tyre came out from under the car,“ he recounted.
His statement went viral on social media and sparked backlash from many users who accused him of being ignorant and disrespectful.
Source: The Independent Ghana | Diana Nutsugah