Residents of Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region are angry at the Apostle General of Royal House Chapel, Rev. Sam Korankye Ankrah for invoking religious curses on the residents in the area.
The anger of the residents stemmed from the declaration of Rev. Ankrah that the people of Denkyira-Obuasi have been cursed and that no youth will grow past 33 years, following the unfortunate lynching of a young military officer, Major Adam Mahama, some weeks ago.
A statement signed and issued by the leadership of Denkyira Development Association (DDA) and copied to Today in Accra at the weekend on behalf of the residents, fumed that it was very unfortunate that such a well respected church leader would make such pronouncements.
“Rather than call him names and respond in equal measure we pray that he reflects soberly on the impact of his words as a church leader and whether these words are to heal or tear apart,” it added.
The DDP in the statement quoted the Bible in Proverbs 18 vrs 21 which admonishes that “The tongue has the power of life and death,” and similarly James 3 vrs 6: advises that the tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body…”
Like Most Ghanaians, the DDA opined the Apostle General was ill-informed about Denkyira-Obuasi, one of the over 165 towns and 13 paramountcies, making up the Denkyira kingdom.
The Denkyiras, according to them, are peace loving people, who have co-existed peacefully with other tribes and communities.
What happened on the morning of May 29th, 2017, they stated, was an unfortunate incident which “we (the residents) have condemned publicly.
According to the Association, the Denkyira Traditional Council which is currently headed by the Chief of Denkyira-Obuasi has performed purification rights and declared the day a “dark day.”
Just last week, the Association pointed out that the family of the late Major Mahama visited the community, adding that the traditional leaders and executives of the association received the family warmly.
The DDA asserted that mob justice in Ghana was not a Denkyira issue, noting that it was a greater national societal problem which must be uprooted as the canker it was.
It indicated that a day after Major Mahama’s incident, an alleged witch, 65-year-old Madam Yenboka Kenna, a widow, was lynched at the Pelungu market; aAnd 55-year-old Kofi Amoako Sensen was lynched at a drinking spot at Fetteh Kakraba in the Gomoa East District for allegedly stealing GH¢1.50 pesewas.
The Association recounted that Pastor Mensa Otabil, also a respected church leader, summed it up better when he said that what happened to Major Mahama was something “we do every day.”
Years ago, according to the Association, several Ghanaians were lynched on suspicion of getting people’s organs to vanish. Several lives were lost needlessly.”
“As an Association, we have embarked on a national campaign against mob justice. We are committed to ensuring that the Major’s death becomes the marker for when we collectively as a people; Denkyira, Asante, Ga Assin, Fanti, Ewe, Gonja, Frafra, Akyem, Dagomba, Nzema etc., said enough is enough.”
“We pray that the Apostle General will join us on this journey of education. Just maybe he can use his medium and far-reaching platform to preach against mob justice – a national canker, and find ways to be part of the healing process for the family of the deceased Major and the community: both of whom have been traumatised by the actions of a few,” it stressed.
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