Old Ghana cedis locked up at police station

A protracted power struggle between two factions of the Apostles Revelation Society (ARS) over who to lead and oversee the church's finances and administration has caused three big collection boxes full of the old currency to be locked up in the custody of the Dzodze Police.

The conflict in the church started after the death of the founder and leader, Prophet Charles Komla Wovenu on April 10, 1999.

After the death of Prophet Wovenu, an interim management body was put in place to administer the affairs of the church, but the management committee, since 2003, has been confronted with several court actions as to who has the right to succeed the late prophet. Some of the cases are still pending in court.

The boxes of money, labeled 'Gift', 'Collection' and 'Tithe, were picked up by the police for safekeeping when confusion broke out between the two factions during the 68th anniversary of the church at the last December convention held at Tadzewu in the Volta Region, the worldwide headquarters of the church.

It is believed that the boxes contain millions of old cedi notes and coins as has always been the case when members of the church from all over the world meet at the church's headquarters for their Christmas convention to contribute substantially to thank God for the many blessings and favours enjoyed by members during the year.

Speaking to DAILY GUIDE at Dzodze on Wednesday, the Dzodze District Police Commander, Superintendent Joseph Antwi Gyawu noted that the celebration of the Passover Feast by members of ARS had always been in turmoil since the death of Prophet Wovenu.

He narrated that one of the factions, described as the College of Apostles led by the Rev. C. K. Attipoe, sought permission from the police to organize the missionary anniversary from December 21 to 28, 2007 and it was granted permission.

Later, the other faction also showed interest in organizing the same programme but did not have the luxury of time to inform the police.

So the police, sensing that this faction's request was not likely to be granted and that might result in a conflict, quickly looked for a way out.

According to Supt. Gyawu, the Volta Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Bernard Dery called the leadership of both parties to a meeting to sign a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) to celebrate the anniversary in peace, and made them promise to use the occasion to unite their followers.

The celebration which was on the theme: "Come, let us return unto the Lord" and meant to heal old wounds, never materialized, as it ended up rather deepening existing wounds.

To satisfy both factions, the original programme was restructured to allow all both parties to play roles in the programme, to signify unity and restored hope among the members.

Supt. Gyawu noted that in the course of the programme, Apostle Amega was accused of taking over the programme, thus leading to exchanges of blows among the congregation.

A police team, which was dispatched to maintain law and order, was overpowered by the congregation, who threw stones at them resulting in various degrees of injuries suffered by both parties including a policeman who was hit on the head by a stone.

He mentioned that there was reinforcement from Ho, Tema and Hohoe to augment those on the ground.

The District Commander stated that some of the youth were also seen carrying placards, with different inscriptions supporting the leadership position of Rev. Apostle Amega.

Supt. Gyawu maintained that in the midst of the confusion, some thugs stormed the place ostensibly to steal the collection boxes but the police were on the ground to put the situation under control.

The boxes, according to Supt. Gyawu, were therefore whisked away to the district police office for safekeeping, and said to ensure equity and fair play, the two factions were asked to bring three padlocks each to lock the boxes.

Supt. Gyawu said both parties complied and the boxes were-locked each box had two different padlocks locking it.

He stated that after sometime, it became evident that the boxes needed to be opened for the old cedi notes to be sent to the banks for conversion into the new Ghana Cedi.

Unfortunately, as mentioned by Supt. Gyawu, Rev. Apostle Amega had refused to meet with the other faction for the conversion to be done.

The police are thus keeping the three boxes stashed with millions of the old currency.