Residents of Madina Constituency were left stunned after police arrested Rev. Daniel Kwame Boateng, a well-known clergyman, for allegedly stealing church tithes amounting to GHS 345,000, according to a report by MyNewsGH.
The shocking incident occurred on Sunday evening when police officers stopped his vehicle during a routine check.
Rev. Boateng, the leader of Holy Fire Ministries International, had just concluded a church service and was seen driving off in a hurry. A concerned church member, who had observed his suspicious behaviour on multiple occasions, tipped off the authorities.
“I have been noticing his strange behaviour after every service. Today, I decided to inform the police,” the anonymous church member revealed.
During a search of his Toyota Land Cruiser, officers discovered large sums of money hidden in envelopes and bags under the seats and in the trunk.
When questioned, Rev. Boateng claimed the money was intended for church projects. However, church leadership denied any knowledge of the funds.
The revelation left senior pastors and church elders furious. Madam Esther Addo, a church elder, expressed her disappointment, saying, “We always trusted him. We never imagined he could steal from the Lord’s house. This is heartbreaking.”
Another church official disclosed that the stolen money was meant for charity programs, including aid for the needy and the construction of a new church building.
“We feel betrayed. Our members give their tithes and offerings with faith, but now look at what has happened,” he added.
DSP Kofi Mensah, the police officer handling the case, confirmed that Rev. Boateng was in custody and that investigations were ongoing.
“We found GHS 345,000 hidden in his car. He failed to provide a clear explanation of how he acquired the money, so we are treating this as a theft case. He will be taken to court soon,” DSP Mensah stated.
News of the arrest quickly spread on social media, sparking widespread disappointment.
One resident, Kwame Asiedu, remarked, “Pastors should lead by example. This is shameful!” Others called for a thorough audit of church finances to prevent similar incidents in the future.