By Grace Zigah
A late-night security scare at Grace Mountain Chapel in Accra has triggered police investigations after a woman was arrested for allegedly attempting to set fire to the church auditorium, a facility closely associated with the popular Alpha Hour prayer movement founded by Pastor Elvis Agyemang.
The incident occurred on the night of Monday, February 9, 2026, during a relatively quiet period at the church premises.
According to preliminary accounts and CCTV footage reviewed by church authorities, the suspect entered the auditorium under the pretext of praying.
She reportedly moved close to the altar area, poured petrol on chairs positioned near the front of the auditorium, and ignited them, causing a sudden outbreak of fire.
Church security personnel, who were monitoring the premises, responded swiftly to the emergency.
Their prompt intervention prevented the flames from spreading across the large auditorium, limiting the damage to a small section of seating.
No casualties were recorded, and no worshippers were injured, averting what could have been a major disaster in a facility that regularly hosts thousands of congregants.
The suspect was immediately restrained and handed over to the police, who have since taken her into custody.
The Police have indicated that further updates will be provided as inquiries progress.
Reacting to the incident, Alpha Hour founder and lead pastor of Grace Mountain Chapel, Pastor Elvis Agyemang, announced the temporary suspension of all in-person prayer sessions at the auditorium.
He assured followers that the attack would not halt the spiritual activities of the ministry, stressing that repairs would be carried out and services would continue through other means.
“This will not stop us. We will fix the place, and prayers will still go on,” he stated, while confirming that the physical venue would remain closed until safety assessments and restoration works are completed.
Pastor Agyemang also placed the incident within a broader pattern of security concerns the church has faced in recent times.
He recalled a similar episode in the previous year when another woman allegedly spread powder on the altar, prompting church authorities to restrict access to certain areas of the auditorium for safety reasons.
These incidents, he noted, reflect growing security challenges associated with the increasing visibility and popularity of the ministry.
Grace Mountain Chapel serves as the main physical hub for Alpha Hour, a daily one-hour prayer meeting that begins at midnight (12 a.m. GMT) and is broadcast live across multiple digital platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Zoom.
The initiative was launched in February 2022, after Pastor Agyemang said he received a spiritual vision to establish an intensive prayer ministry focused on revival, deliverance, and spiritual empowerment.
Since its inception, Alpha Hour has expanded rapidly, drawing tens of thousands of participants from Ghana and across the diaspora. The movement has grown beyond social media, extending its reach to radio and television platforms nationwide, and building a large community of followers popularly known as “Alpharians.”
Grace Mountain Chapel itself has become a central gathering point for these followers, hosting large-scale prayer meetings and worship services.
