A woman is currently in police custody following an arson attack on the Grace Mountain Chapel auditorium in Accra, the church led by Alpha Hour founder, Pastor Elvis Agyemang.
The incident occurred on the night of Monday, February 9, during a quiet period at the church premises. According to preliminary reports, the suspect entered the auditorium under the pretext of coming to pray before carrying out the act.
CCTV footage retrieved from the church clearly shows the woman pouring petrol on chairs positioned close to the altar and setting them on fire. The footage has since become a key part of ongoing police investigations.
Fortunately, the church’s security team acted swiftly, responding within minutes of the outbreak. Their prompt intervention helped contain the fire before it could spread extensively or cause structural damage to the auditorium. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
Reacting to the attack, Pastor Elvis Agyemang announced the temporary suspension of all in-person prayer sessions at the Grace Mountain Chapel auditorium to allow for repairs and security assessments.
“If you come here today, it will not be open, but it will not stop us. We will fix the place, and prayers will still go on,” the pastor assured congregants and followers during a live address.
Pastor Agyemang further disclosed that this was not the first security-related incident the church has experienced, attributing such occurrences to resistance against the impact of the prayer movement.
“How many times have we not heard people say they heard something and rushed here to pray in the auditorium? That is what the devil does not like. Last year, there was an incident where a woman spread powder on the altar, and we had to stop people from going close to it,” he revealed.
The suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue to determine her motive and whether she acted alone or with accomplices. Police authorities say the case is being treated as a serious criminal matter, and further updates will be provided as inquiries progress.
Meanwhile, church leadership has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of worshippers while maintaining its spiritual activities through alternative platforms.
Alpha Hour, founded by Pastor Elvis Agyemang, is a daily one-hour prayer meeting that begins at 12 a.m. GMT and is broadcast live across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Zoom. The initiative began in February 2022, following what Pastor Agyemang described as a divine vision to establish an intensive prayer ministry focused on spiritual revival, deliverance, and victory.
Since its inception, Alpha Hour has grown into a global movement, attracting tens of thousands of participants worldwide and expanding onto television and radio platforms across Ghana.
Despite the arson incident, church leaders and members say the attack will not derail the mission of the ministry, emphasizing resilience, faith, and continued prayer.
