The Assemblies of God Ghana has ordered the closure of the Abundant Life Assemblies of God Church at Bohyen following escalating tensions linked to a prolonged leadership dispute.
The directive was issued by the church’s Executive Presbytery and communicated to the congregation through a statement read by Freeman Osei-Tete, Head of Operations at the church’s headquarters in Accra. The decision, initially announced on April 19, comes after years of unresolved disagreement over pastoral leadership at the Bohyen assembly.
According to church authorities, the assembly has been without a substantive pastor for three years since the retirement of Stephen Manu. Attempts by the national leadership to resolve the impasse through dialogue and administrative processes reportedly failed, with some members resisting the constitutional authority governing pastoral postings.
The Executive Presbytery cited provisions within the church’s constitution to justify its action, stressing that it holds overarching authority in administrative matters, including the appointment and transfer of pastors. It further accused a section of the congregation of unlawfully taking control of church administration, including financial management, without proper mandate.
Initial attempts to enforce the closure on April 19 were unsuccessful, as tensions escalated during the announcement, with some members reportedly confronting church leaders and disrupting the process.
Following the incident, the Ghana Police Service was called in to assist. Police officers later enforced the closure around 9:00 a.m., securing the premises to prevent further disturbances and protect church property.
As part of the measures taken, the Executive Presbytery has dissolved the church’s board, departments, and all existing leadership structures. Security personnel remain stationed at the premises, with a warning that any attempt to interfere with church property or cause unrest will result in arrest.
Despite the shutdown, church leadership says the closure is temporary. The assembly is expected to reopen on April 26 under a new leadership structure approved by the national body, with membership open to those willing to comply with the church’s constitutional framework.
The intervention is seen as a decisive step to restore order and reinforce central authority within the denomination, which oversees more than 8,000 churches across Ghana.
