From Sebewie to Sebetutu: A Theological and Missiological Analysis of the Life and Ministry of Prophet Sampson Kwame Oppong
Author: Isaac Boaheng
ISBN:978 – 9988 – 3 – 3456 – 7
DOI:10.38159/npub.eb20221001
Published: 20th October, 2022.
Many a man has failed to realize his lifelong ambitions on account of his physical, physiological and mental inadequacies. A lot more men in the quest for success have stumbled and accomplished nothing significant as a result of their ailing backgrounds. Lacking the wits and inspiration to fulfill their ambitions, some seek the assistance of demonic forces to turn their fortunes around; yet, to no avail. For such individuals and in particular, people who aspire to have a fruitful evangelistic and prophetic ministry, Rev. Dr. Boaheng’s incisive book on Prophet Sampson Kwame Oppong’s rise from ashes to fame as one of Africa’s foremost indigenous prophets is highly recommended for their reading.
The wondrous exploits of Prophet Sampson Kwame Oppong, a man of slavery descent, born in a midget house in hinterland Akontanim (Dormaa kingdom) in the Bono Region of Ghana, lead readers to the knowledge that Christ is not merely the answer to our most intractable problems and afflictions, but he also provides us the zeal to do the impossibly impossible. Prophet Oppong was a slave boy who began his adolescent life as a traditional priest and a magician, destroying many lives through magical activities. God called the renowned traditionalist and serial prisoner to repentance through many dramatic experiences but he resisted until he was finally arrested by the Holy Spirit through a-deep-forest event. After his conversion, Prophet Oppong preached against the practices of fetish priests and destroyed charms and amulets. His ministry was characterized by miracles including healings and exorcisms through the power of the Holy Spirit. He tapped the pneumatic resources to deal with the spiritual needs of his audience. He encouraged his audience to look up to Christ and break away from their past.
Though without formal education, he was endowed with a heavenly gift of reading fluently the verses of the Holy Bible on a miraculous stone he held in his hand. His powerful sermons and healing ministrations culminated in the conversion of thousands of heathens. As a sequel, the Methodist church in Ashanti and the then Bono-Ahafo Regions grew in leaps and bounds. Possessing enormous venom to destroy amulets, talismans and all kinds of charms, he was nicknamed Sebetutu. Prophet Oppong’s journey “From Sebewie to Sebetutu”1 demonstrates God’s ability to choose, prepare and use anyone for his purpose no matter the person’s background. The word “Sebewie” means “the one who ends life by magical powers” and “Sebetutu” means “the one who uproots and destroys amulets and charms.” Prophet Oppong acquired the two accolades owing to his two opposing professions—first as a traditional magician who used magic to “destroy” life and then as a Christian prophet and evangelist who used divine power to destroy charms and amulets.
The rapid transformation of an ardent traditional believer and “illiterate” serial prisoner into a vibrant and accomplished Prophet of repute provides evidence of God’s transformational power to inspire succeeding generations. The book is written in a way that makes it accessible to the ordinary reader. It is for this reason that I do not hesitate to introduce this book to the reading public and recommend the inspiring story of Sebetutu to everyone who nurtures a desire to uncover the hidden mysteries of Christ. I do so with the hope that the Prophet’s indomitable personality, passion and selfless attitude will impact positively on you as you embark on a journey to read this soul-elevating life account of one of Africa’s Legendary Prophets.
The Rt. Rev. Daniel Kwasi Tannor
Bishop, Sunyani Diocese of the Methodist Church Ghana
April, 2022
Isaac Boaheng holds a PhD in Theology from the University of the Free State, South Africa, a Master of Theology degree from the South African Theological Seminary, South Africa, a Master of Divinity degree from the Trinity Theological Seminary, Ghana and a Bachelor of Science degree in Geomatic Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.
He is a lecturer in Theology and Christian Ethics at the Christian Service University College, Ghana, and a Research Fellow at the Department of Biblical and Religion Studies, University of the Free State, South Africa. Boaheng has over seventy publications in Systematic Theology, Ethics, Biblical Studies, Translation Studies, African Christianity, Linguistics, Pentecostalism and Christian Mission, among others. He is an Ordained Minister of the Methodist Church Ghana serving the Nkwabeng circuit of the Sunyani Diocese.
CHAPTER ONE.. 19
BACKGROUND TO PROPHET SAMPSON KWAME OPPONG’S MINISTRY.. 19
A Brief Account of Missionary Christianity in the Gold Coast 19
Missionary Activities before the Eighteenth Century (Phase 1) 19
Missionary Activities in the Eighteenth Century (Phase 2) 20
Missionary Activities in the Nineteenth Century (Phase 3) 21
The Emergence of Christian Prophetism in Ghana. 24
Background of Eighteenth-Century Akontanim Society. 29
Political Background. 29
Socio-Economic Background. 31
Religious Background. 33
Conclusion. 35
CHAPTER TWO.. 37
FROM SEBEWIE TO SEBETUTU.. 37
King Samory and his Slave-Trade Activities. 37
Prophet Sampson Kwame Oppong’s Parents. 39
The Birth and Early Life of Sampson Kwame Oppong. 42
The Birth of Kwame Oppong (Pon Kwame) 42
Kwame Oppong, the Traditional Priest (Sebewie) 43
Oppong in the Ivory Coast 47
Oppong the Labourer 47
Oppong the Prisoner 49
Oppong Back in Ghana. 52
At Akyem Tafo. 52
At Akyem Wankyi (Bompata) 52
At Osiem.. 54
At Nkronso. 54
Oppong’s Conversion Experience. 55
Oppong, the Changed Person (Sebetutu) 57
Prophet Oppong’s Understanding of his Call into Ministry. 61
Prophet Oppong’s Understanding of his Preaching/Prophetic Ministry. 65
Prophet Oppong’s Style of Preaching. 68
Conclusion. 72
CHAPTER THREE.. 73
PROPHET SAMPSON KWAME OPPONG’S MINISTRY IN ASHANTI. 73
Ministry at Bompata. 73
Ministry at Obogu. 73
Ministry at Bekwai 76
Ministry at Kumasi and its Environs. 77
The Impact of Oppong’s Ministry on Methodism in Ashanti 83
Church (Numerical) Growth and Church Planting. 83
Church Infrastructural Development 84
Educational Institutions. 84
Wesley College. 84
Ministerial Training Facilities. 86
Conclusion. 87
CHAPTER FOUR.. 88
PROPHET SAMPSON KWAME OPPONG’S MINISTRY IN BONOLAND.. 88
Dormaahene Invites Prophet Sampsong Oppong to Return to Bonoland. 88
Ministry at Takyiman and Wenchi 89
Prophet Sampson Oppong Arrives at Akontanim.. 91
Selected Miracles of Prophet Sampson Oppong. 92
The Fofieda Miraculous Downpour at Akontanim.. 92
Praying for Rainfall in the Dry Season. 94
Praying to stop Rainfall in the Rainy Season. 97
Raising the Dead at Akontanim.. 98
Victory over a Traditional Priest at Amasu. 98
Miraculous Disappearance of a Buffalo at Kantanka. 99
Mysterious Journey to Nsoatre. 100
Conclusion. 101
CHAPTER FIVE.. 102
SEBETUTUISM AS A WESLEYAN MOVEMENT.. 102
Sebetutuism as a Renewal Movement 102
Sebetutuism and Church Growth. 104
Sebetutuism and the Development of Abibinnwom.. 108
Sebetutuism and Socio-economic Development 111
Sebetutuism and Lay Participation in Ministry. 114
Sebetutuism and Mother-tongue theologizing. 116
Sebetutuism and the Cross. 123
Sebetutuism as Motivation for Ministry. 126
Prophet Sampson Oppong’s Mausoleum.. 128
Prophet Sampson Oppong Retreat Centre. 134
Conclusion. 136
CHAPTER SIX.. 138
PROPHET SAMPSON KWAME OPPONG: 138
A TYPOLOGY OF BIBLICAL SAMPSON?. 138
Sampson in the Bible. 138
Historical Background. 138
The Birth of a Mighty Leader 139
Sampson’s Ministry. 140
The Fall and Death of Sampson. 140
The Fall of Prophet Sampson Oppong. 141
Suggested Factors behind the Fall of Prophet Sampson Oppong. 142
Emotionalism.. 142
Enemies from within. 143
Unfaithfulness to a Personal Vow.. 144
Pride and Indiscipline. 144
Criticisms of Oppong’s Ministry. 145
Comparing the Biblical Sampson and Akontanim Sampson. 146
Marital life. 147
A Posthumous Award to the Prophet Sampson Kwame Oppong. 152
Conclusion. 153
FINAL WORDS. 154
Boaheng,Isaac. From Sebewie to Sebetutu:A Theological and Missiological Analysis of the Life and Ministry of Prophet Sampson Kwame Oppong,(Accra: Noyam Publishers, 2022).DOI: 10.38159/npub.eb20221001