Reports: King Amoah.
The Ashanti Regional Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is investigating a case involving agents of an alleged fake landowner, identified as Pastor Akwasi Addae Macaiah of the 7th Day Pentecostal Assemblies in Kumasi-Adiebeba, who were arrested for attempting to establish unlawful boundaries at Buoho-Afrancho.
On February 11th, 2025, Emmanuel Kwame Alhassan, also known as Kwame Dada (church secretary), and Akwasi Alhassan Kankani (church member), were apprehended while allegedly attempting to erect block poles to illegally claim land. Two other individuals, including Bernard Ofori Amanfo church elder an Mr Poku church member and a mechanic at Suame Magazine, escaped arrest.
The dispute centers around a piece of land originally acquired in the 1980s by the late Elder Enoch Ofori Snr, President and founder of the 7th Day Pentecostal Assemblies, from Mr. Akomia (now deceased) for a school project. Crucially, no legal documentation was finalized to secure the land rights, relying instead on a mutual agreement and trust between the parties.
Following Elder Ofori Snr’s death, the land remained legally the property of Mr. Akomia, who reportedly transferred ownership through a will to his junior brother, Mr. Akomia Jnr, known as Atta. While church members continued to maintain the now-defunct school project, Atta allowed them to remain on the land.
The situation escalated with the arrival of Pastor Akwasi Addae Macaiah, who allegedly customarily succeeded Elder Ofori Snr. He purportedly claimed ownership of the land, asserting that the late Elder Ofori Snr had transferred it to him before his death, despite lacking documented proof. Sources claim Pastor Macaiah has allegedly been renting out a section of the land and pocketing the proceeds, as well as housing one of his wives on the property.
Furthermore, Pastor Macaiah is reportedly attempting to evict Elder Ofori Snr’s former driver through court action, but the Kodie Circuit Court has repeatedly demanded evidence of his ownership, which he has allegedly failed to produce.
The February 11th arrests were triggered when Mr. Akomia Jnr (Atta) received a tip-off that Pastor Macaiah had instructed his church members to demarcate the land with block poles.
A hearing was scheduled for February 18th at the Kumasi CID office, where both Mr. Akomia Jnr (Atta) and Pastor Akwasi Addae Macaiah were expected to present documentation proving land ownership. However, the CID officer in charge was unavailable due to another assignment, and the case was adjourned.
Mr. Akomia Jnr (Atta) has stated that he is awaiting Pastor Macaiah’s evidence of ownership before pursuing further legal action.
This incident has drawn attention to Pastor Macaiah’s controversial leadership of the 7th Day Pentecostal Assemblies since the death of Elder Enoch Ofori Snr. He is accused of violating the church’s constitution by assuming the role of President.
Adding to the controversy, Pastor Macaiah has been accused of polygamy and has faced accusations of adultery. Last year, he was reportedly taken to the Manhyia Palace by a church member, Kofi Adjei, for allegedly having an affair with Adjei’s wife. The Manhyia Palace found him guilty and ordered him to pay Ghc25,000 to Adjei and apologize.
Furthermore Manhyia Palace ordered Pastor Akwasi Addae Macaiah’ to publicly render apologies to other church members for whom he falsely made accusations against them during his radio broadcasts.
The investigations into the land dispute and the accusations against Pastor Akwasi Addae Macaiah are ongoing. Stay tuned for further updates.
