One of the branches of Bishop Dag Heward-Mills’ Lighthouse Chapel International in Bantama in the Ashanti regional capital has been closed by a group of machomen known as the Asante Force.
The group locked the church on Saturday to prevent members from worshipping on Sunday.
The church’s branch closure comes after the 48-hour ultimatum given to the founder, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills to personally apologize to the Overlord of Ashanti, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has elapsed.
The youth groups comprise of Ashanti Youth Association (AYA), Kumasi Youth Association (KuYA), Ashanti Zongo Youth Association (AZOYA) and Ashanti Student’s Union (ASU) demanded an apology from the Lighthouse Chapel founder for his alleged demeaning comments to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
According to them, the Bishop allegedly described the Asantehene as useless and not helping his people and immediate subjects.
But Bishop Heward-Mills has since apologised and clarified that the preaching was recorded nearly two decades ago.
But on behalf of the youth groups, secretary to the Ashanti Youth Association ( AYA) Mr Tweneboah Kodua in a press conference today Monday 21, June 2021 expressed disappointment at what he described as derogatory comments at the Ashanti King as they demand detailed and personal apology by the Bishop.
“We call on Dag Heward-Mills to seek wise counsel within 48 hours, otherwise none of his churches would be permitted to operate within the Asanteman enclave afterwards.
“Also, we are warning all and sundry who hide under religion, tribe, politics to push this evil agenda against the golden stool and the King would be met with same brute force and the person would be dealt with.”
Mr Tweneboah Kodua explained that he deem the Bishop’s so-called apology as null and void because as custom demands, you cannot just say such unprintable words against the Asante King and apologize via a mere letter.
“Although I haven’t sighted any apology letter but even if there is one, the Bishop must know better because the Ashanti customs and laws are very wide and must be followed to the latter.”
The group further issued 48 hour ultimatum to the Bishop to come clear through appropriate channel and withdraw whatever comment he made else they cannot guarantee the safety of his members in numerous churches dotted across the Ashanti Region.
