Lighthouse Chapel International founder Dag Heward-Mills has apologised to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II over a 20-year-old offensive sermon.

In a viral audio, which angered a lot of Asantes on social media, Bishop Heward-Mills is heard questioning the impact of the Asante monarch.

The preacher, in a statement issued on Saturday, 19 June 2021, however, said the almost-20-year-old messaged had been taken out of context and “maliciously” circulated to create disaffection for him and the church.

“I am deeply saddened that a message I shared at a conference, nearly 20 years ago, has been taken out of its context and circulated by persons who have previously declared that they will maliciously cause our churches in Kumasi to be closed down”, the statement said.

“I wish to apologise to His Majesty, Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, for any disrespect, insult or harm caused him or his royal court. Please accept my profound apologies for the statements I made,” the statement said.

The bishop thanked the traditional leader for handling the matter “graciously”, adding that the “accomplishments of his majesty Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II are evident and manifest for all to see”.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu, who is the Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), ascended the throne on 26 April 1999.