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Richard Tagoe, the newly installed Amanonehene of Abotakyi, has issued a formal public apology to the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) after admitting to falsely claiming he was a pastor of the denomination. The clarification follows his recent rise to traditional prominence during an installation ceremony where his purported status as a Reverend Minister within the ICGC was prominently featured. This discrepancy in his background came to light following specific inquiries into his ecclesiastical credentials, forcing a public correction of the record.
In his letter of apology, Tagoe expressed sincere regret for any misleading representations made regarding his affiliation with the church. He explicitly stated that he is neither a member nor a Reverend of the ICGC, acknowledging that the claims made during his installation were inaccurate. This admission addresses the concerns raised by church leadership and the public regarding the legitimacy of his pastoral title, which had been linked to his profile as a community leader and his new traditional role.
As the Amanonehene of Abotakyi, Tagoe’s traditional mandate is focused on the welfare and engagement of the town's diaspora residents. Despite the controversy surrounding his religious claims, he indicated a commitment to fulfilling his duties in this capacity and supporting local development initiatives. The situation highlights the increasing level of scrutiny applied to the backgrounds of traditional leaders in Ghana, where both religious and secular credentials often play a significant role in public perception and community standing.