Prayer Palace Church Demands Justice in Land Dispute With Alleged Chinese Developer

Prayer Palace International Church has called on Ghanaian authorities to intervene in a land dispute at its Manet-Spintex property, alleging that an unidentified Chinese developer, operating without documentation, has seized control of land the church purchased legitimately in 2019.

Speaking at a press conference at the church premises on Sunday, Head Pastor Prophet Emmanuel Adjei laid out a timeline of ownership that he said proves the church’s rightful claim. According to Adjei, the church acquired approximately four acres of land from Samuel Kofi Diame in 2019. A year later, the Numo Kofi Anum family of Tesa, Teshie, presented a Supreme Court judgement asserting their ownership of the same property.

“Per our investigations we realised that they are the rightful owners of the land. So we had to atone tenancy to them,” Prophet Adjei told reporters. The church paid the required atonement to the Anum family and maintained a peaceful relationship with them for several years.

The situation escalated approximately two weeks ago when the church began development on the site. Land guards allegedly stormed the construction area, claiming the church was not the “bonafide” owner. The matter was reported to the Ghana Police Service and subsequently referred to the Property Fraud Unit, which instructed both parties to remain off the land for one week pending investigation.

However, church officials allege that construction continued on the site despite the police order, raising concerns about enforcement of the directive. Prophet Adjei expressed frustration at what he described as a failure of the authorities to protect the church’s investment.

“The church is worried, the church is agitated. They’ve contributed, they’ve bought land, they want to develop and a Chinese man without documentation, being supervised by Ghanaians, is invading a land that belongs to Ghanaians,” Adjei said.

The church further claims that when it contacted the Numo Kofi Anum family, the original landowners stated they had no knowledge of any Chinese national claiming ownership of the property. This assertion, if verified, would suggest the developer’s claim lacks a legal foundation.

The dispute has stoked anxiety among more than 2,500 congregants who collectively contributed funds to purchase the land. For many members of the church, the property represents not just a place of worship but a significant financial investment now under threat.

Prayer Palace is calling for three specific actions: a fast-track investigation by police and the Property Fraud Unit, protection of the property while ownership is verified, and adherence to the rule of law to ensure justice for the congregants who funded the purchase.

The case highlights a recurring challenge in Ghana’s property landscape, where disputes over land ownership frequently pit individuals and institutions against well-resourced developers. The involvement of an alleged foreign national without documentation adds a further layer of complexity, raising questions about the regulation of foreign participation in Ghana’s real estate sector.

Neither the Property Fraud Unit nor the Numo Kofi Anum family has publicly commented on the church’s allegations. The Ghana Police Service has yet to provide an update on the status of its investigation.

Image Source: GHANAIAN TIMES