The government of Ghana has banned the LDS Church and the Jehovah's Witnesses, accusing the two faiths of undermining the sovereignty of the west African nation.

Missionaries have been given a week to leave the country, but Mormon Church officials are in negotiations with Ghanian leaders to work out their differences, according to an LDS spokesman.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints petitioned the government Thursday to rescind its ban and expulsion of the missionaries.

Members of the faiths and two domestic sects, Nyame Sunkwa and Jesus Christ of Dzorwulu, received notification of the ban Wednesday in a statement carried on state-run Accra radio. Accra is the country's capital.

The Associated Press reported the government of Flight Lt. Jerry Rawlings, Ghana's president, accused the faiths of disturbing order and threatening Ghana's sovereignty. "Despite repeated warnings, the two sects have continued to conduct themselves in a manner which not only undermines the sovereignty of Ghana, but is also no conducive to public order," said the government.

However, LDS Church spokesmen Jerry Cahill said the announcement came as a surprise to the 6,000 Latter-day Saints in Ghana. He could offer no reason why the government would expel missionaries. There have been Mormon missionaries in the country since 1980 and the church has had good success there, Mr. Cahill said.

"Our church leaders in Ghana are working with the government to understand and, we hope, resolve the situation," said Cahill. He said the leaders presented a formal petition to the government asking that it reconsider the ban.

The broadcast also said a law requiring denominations to register with the Ministry of the Interior has been signed.