Residents of the Madina Constituency were shocked when police arrested Rev. Daniel Kwame Boateng, a prominent clergyman, for allegedly stealing GHS 345,000 in church tithes. The arrest took place on Sunday evening during a routine traffic check after Boateng, who leads Holy Fire Ministries International, left a church service in haste.
A concerned church member, who noticed suspicious behavior from Boateng, alerted the authorities. “I’ve seen him acting strangely after services, so today I decided to notify the police,” the member, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
When officers searched his Toyota Land Cruiser, they discovered large amounts of money hidden in envelopes and bags under the seats and in the trunk. Boateng claimed the money was for church projects, but church leaders denied any knowledge of it.
The church’s senior pastors and elders were devastated by the news. Elder Esther Addo expressed her heartbreak, saying, “We trusted him. We never imagined he could steal from the Lord’s house.”
One church official revealed that the stolen funds were intended for charity work, including aiding the poor and funding a new church building. “We feel betrayed. Our members give their tithes with faith, and now this,” he added.
DSP Kofi Mensah, the police officer in charge, confirmed that Rev. Boateng is in custody and under investigation. “We found GHS 345,000 in his car, and he couldn’t explain its origin. This is being treated as a theft case, and he will be brought to court soon,” Mensah said.
The arrest quickly went viral on social media, with many expressing disappointment. Resident Kwame Asiedu remarked, “Pastors should set an example. This is shameful!” Others have called for an audit of church finances to prevent such incidents in the future.
