Kumasi-Bohyen: Abundant Life AG church shut down amid tensions over leadership dispute

The Executive Presbytery (EP) of the Assemblies of God, Ghana has ordered the closure of the Abundant Life Assemblies of God Church at Bohyen following escalating tensions stemming from a prolonged leadership impasse.

The directive, initially announced on Sunday, April 19, 2026, was conveyed to the congregation through a statement read by Rev. Dr. Freeman Osei-Tete, Head of Operations at the church’s headquarters in Accra.

According to the EP Officers, the Bohyen assembly has been without a substantive pastor for the past three years since the retirement of Rev. Stephen Manu. Efforts by the national leadership to resolve the situation through dialogue and administrative interventions reportedly proved unsuccessful, as some members resisted the constitutional authority governing pastoral postings.

In justifying its decision, the EP cited provisions of the church’s constitution. Article 11 (2b) states that the Executive Presbytery “shall exercise general oversight responsibility over the Church,” while Article 12 (2a) mandates that Presbytery Officers “be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Church.”

Additionally, Article 15 (2b) empowers the Executive Committee to “recommend appointments of ministers to any office or pastorate… and transfer ministers to any pastorate,” reinforcing the position that pastoral postings are not determined by local congregations.

The EP further referenced Article 31 (2), which states that “all rulings made by the Executive Presbytery Officers… shall be binding until otherwise decided by a resolution of the General Council,” underscoring the authority of its directive.

The leadership also accused a section of the congregation of unlawfully taking over the administration of the church, including managing finances and signing cheques without constitutional mandate.

Attempts to enforce the closure on April 19 were unsuccessful. Eyewitnesses reported that some members reacted angrily after the statement was read—shouting, making allegations, and verbally confronting church leaders—making it impossible to carry out the shutdown at the time.

Following the disruption, church leadership petitioned the Ghana Police Service for support.

Police officers later moved in and successfully closed the church premises around 9:00 a.m., securing the facility to prevent further disturbances and safeguard church property.

As part of the enforcement measures, the Executive Presbytery dissolved the church board, departments, committees, and all existing leadership structures. Security personnel have since been stationed at the premises, with a warning that anyone who attempts to cause disturbances or interfere with church property will be arrested.

Despite the developments, the EP maintains that the closure is temporary. The church is expected to reopen on Sunday, April 26, 2026, under new leadership approved by the national body.

The new administration will accommodate members willing to comply with the directives of the Executive Presbytery and operate within the framework of the church’s constitution.

The leadership reiterated that all Assemblies of God churches in Ghana—over 8,000 branches—fall under the authority of the national body, stressing that no individual or group has the right to assume control outside the established governance structure.

The intervention is seen as a decisive move to restore order and reaffirm constitutional authority within the church.