The elders of Nogokpo, a village in the Volta Region of Ghana, have issued a summons to the leader of Perez Chapel International, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, to appear before them within two weeks.
They claim that they are not happy with the clarification that the preacher gave after he made a comment that portrayed Nogokpo as the home of evil spirits in the region.
They have therefore appealed to the National Peace Council to “assist Archbishop Charles Agyinasare to show up before the council of elders of the Nogokpo community within 14 days for peaceful resolution”.
The spokesperson of the community Nufialaga Mawufemor Korbla Nonyigbey said at a press briefing on Friday, June 2 that “The Archbishop in his second sermon and explanation did not show any remorse or regret, indicating that he deliberately decided to tarnish the good image of the people of Nogokpo and a planned damage strategy of the usual religious intolerance to weaken African Traditional Religion”.
Archbishop Agyinasare earlier stated that he did not intend any harm in his remark about Nogokpo, a town in the Ketu South Municipality in the Volta Region.
He had described Nogokpo as the demonic headquarters of the Volta Region.
He said “Nogokpo is the demonic headquarters of 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 the wizards. When we were driving from Aflao to Agbozume, immediately we got to Nogopko, Bishop Yaw Adu’s four-wheel drive, the tyres came out from under the car.”
In his clarification following criticisms, the Man of God said “I have received calls from people very close to me and my attention has been drawn to social media commentary on some portions of comments I made this past Thursday during the Supernatural Empowerment Summit here in the Perez Dome.
“I was speaking on the divine protection we as Christians enjoy from God and was teaching congregants on the need to activate divine protection from demonic attacks. This is a cardinal principle of our faith as Charismatic Christians.
“To drive home my point, I made reference to several instances where I have encountered manifestations of demonic powers in my crusades which have taken me to over 92 countries of the world. I gave an example of people who were seeking to levitate during a crusade in India. I gave an example of an attack I suffered as a very young Pastor who had gone to preach at a bus stop around Korle Bu.
“In reference to Nogokpo, I wish to clarify that I never intended to refer to the town but an incident that happened after a crusade at Aflao. I had absolutely no intention to cast a slur upon the people of the Nogokpo Town and the Volta Region as a whole.
“I have had a very cordial relationship with the people of the Volta Region. My wife of 38 years is an Ewe from Keta. And two of my sons bear Ewe names. All of the examples I gave were not intended to denigrate any of the towns and their people but to elucidate the principle of divine protection to congregants.
“Any misrepresentation or misinformation that has characterised the subsequent commentary and reportage is regretted.
“My Ministry over the past 40 years has been one that has spoken up at critical times in our Nation as a spiritual gatekeeper and I remain committed to serving God’s people and our Nation as the spirit directs.”
