Acheampong had a coup prophecy but ignored it - Retired Captain Joel Sowu

Retired Captain Joel Sowu has revealed startling details about a prophecy that foretold the coup against former President Ignatius Kutu Acheampong in July 1978.

In an interview with Kafui Dey on the YouTube series “45 Years On: Memories of Ghana 1979,” Capt. Sowu recounted how a prophetess warned Acheampong of an impending betrayal from his inner circle.

“Acheampong was cocooned. When he was cocooned, then came the palace coup to happen. Because that palace coup would not have happened if he had listened,” he said.

According to Capt. Sowu, during a particular function, a prophetess delivered a dire prophecy to Acheampong.

“There was a woman there, that woman was a prophetess. And she was prophesying and she said (to Acheampong) that a time will come when your own people will betray you and the people around you will be part of it,” he recounted.

Despite the prophetess’s grave warning, those surrounding Acheampong dismissed her claims.

The prophetess’s prophecy included a specific warning for Acheampong to avoid work on a particular day.

“The people around immediately said, ‘Oh no, there is nothing like that,’ and the prophetess told Acheampong on this day don’t go to work,” Capt. Sowu revealed.

On the fateful day, a young boy who said he was a man of God arrived at Burma Camp with an urgent message for Acheampong.

“The people thought the small boy had smoked weed, and he [the small boy] told them that Acheampong should not leave the house,” Capt. Sowu continued.

Ignoring the boy’s warning, Acheampong left his residence and, as the prophecy had foretold, never returned.

NAY/BB