Pastor given 21-day ultimatum to leave Larteh

The Chief of Larteh Ahenease, Osabarima Enyinɛ Asiedu Okoo Ababio III, has explained why he gave a pastor a 21-day ultimatum to leave Larteh following a prophecy he made about the town.

Speaking to media personality Kafui Dey in an interview aired on September 7, 2026, Osabarima Enyinɛ Asiedu Okoo Ababio III explained that there is a law in Larteh that requires religious practices to be respected, with no religious group interfering with the practices of another.

According to him, Christians are free to practise their faith, just as traditional religious practitioners are free to practise theirs, provided neither interferes with the other.

“If you are a Christian, do what Christians do. If you are a fetishist, do what fetishists do. But don’t interfere with the way of a Christian. That is my law in this town,” he said.

When asked what happens when someone tries to interfere with another person's religious practice, the chief said such a person would face punishment.

“You’ll be punished. We have a case right now,” he responded.

Citing the case that led to the 21-day ultimatum, the chief explained that a pastor who had lived in Larteh for about 13 years went to the town's market square and made a prophecy concerning the town's rainfall.

Prophet Owusu Bempah given ultimatum to retract and apologise

According to the chief, the pastor claimed that God had revealed to him that Larteh would not experience rainfall for three years, three months, three weeks and three days. He also allegedly called for the burning of traditional shrines in the town.

“There is somebody called Mensah from Asante Bekwai. He has come to Larteh for 13 good years. He has not been able to introduce himself to me. Just about three weeks ago, this man came to our market site, night market, to pronounce that God had revealed to him that there would not be rainfall at Larteh for three years, three months, three weeks, three days. That we should burn all the fetishist shrines at Larteh,” he said.

The chief said he was informed about the pastor's pronouncement, after which his elders called him to explain himself.

According to Osabarima Enyinɛ Asiedu Okoo Ababio III, the pastor admitted making the statement and apologised. However, the chief said the apology did not prevent him from ordering the pastor to leave Larteh within 21 days.

“So I was informed and my elders called him. He admitted and apologised. I said, no, you must leave Larteh, within 21 days, you should leave Larteh. He should go to his hometown and tell his chief that this is what is likely to happen. And if the chief claps for him, then he should come back. He should come back,” he stated.

The chief further explained that the pastor had not yet completed the 21-day period at the time of the interview. However, he had been instructed not to reopen his church or preach on the streets of Larteh during that period.

“But meanwhile, he should not open his church. He should not preach in the streets anymore. So we have all these things. We believe if you’re Christian, fine. If you are a fetish man, fine. Practise your fetishism, your Christian tenets, but don’t interfere. Let us stay as our parents did,” he added.

Did you know you could be punished for religious interference in Larteh?

The Chief of Larteh Ahenease, Osabarima Enyinɛ Asiedu Okoo Ababio III has given a man a 21-day ultimatum to leave Larteh.

This was after he claimed that God had revealed to him that there would be no rain… pic.twitter.com/BmxXKiRcqB

— Kafui Dey (@KafuiDey) September 7, 2026