The newly installed Amanonehene of Abotakyi in the Akuapem Traditional Area in the Eastern Region has apologised to the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) after admitting that he is not a pastor of the church.
Richard Tagoe, 44, has further asked the church for forgiveness after his installation went viral over the weekend.
Checks by the Daily Graphic with ICGC revealed that there was no pastor with the said name in the church. But even before the issue was pressed, Mr Tagoe has owned up.
"I humbly ask for your forgiveness, and I promise that such conduct will not happen again," Mr Tagoe said in a terse "Letter of Apology" to the church.
Mr Tagoe was handed the stool name Nana Ohene Tagoe I after undergoing the necessary rites and rituals for his installation, but it was his supposed role as a pastor of the Bible-believing church that sparked curiosity and public interest.
Within days, however, the Belgium-based businessman has clarified that his association with the church was a complete mistake that should not have happened.
"I, Nana Ohene Tagoe I, wish to sincerely apologise to the entire ICGC church.
"I wish to state that I am not a member of the ICGC church and I am not a Reverend Minister of the ICGC church. Any representation I made to that effect was false and misleading," he said in his letter of apology to the church.
Last Saturday's ceremony in the Eastern Regional community had thrust the man into public prominence suddenly, as the link between the church and traditional rites generated curiosity.
Amanonehene, as conferred on Mr Tagoe, is a specialised chieftaincy title responsible for the welfare of indigenes of the town residing in the diaspora. He also solicits support from the diaspora for the town's development.
After going through the traditional rites, Nana Ohene Tagoe was carried shoulder-high and paraded through the principal streets of the Abotakyi township amidst cheers from the town folks.
