A former pastor of Lighthouse Chapel International (LCI), Rev. Edward Laryea, has told the High Court that he did not construct the Kade Lighthouse church building solely with his personal funds.
Rev. Laryea, who is testifying as a witness for the defendants in the defamation suit filed by LCI against journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, Edwin Appiah, Sulemana Braimah and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), made the remarks during cross-examination by counsel for the plaintiff, Kweku Paintsil.
The suit is on the back of the publication of the Darkness in a Lighthouse series, which alleged, among other things, that some former pastors financed church buildings and schools with their personal resources under a policy known as Become Who You Can Become, with the expectation that they would remain in charge of those churches. The articles further alleged that some pastors were later transferred after completing the projects.
During proceedings, counsel for LCI referred Rev. Laryea to a photograph published alongside the articles, captioned: “The Church in Kade, Rev. Edward Laryea says he built by the grace of God from ground zero.” Counsel asked whether it was true that he built the church with his personal funds.
In response, Rev. Laryea said the answer was “yes, but not absolutely,” explaining that while he contributed to the project, “no one man can build a church with his money.” He added that the church headquarters supported his missionary work and that members of the local congregation also contributed to the construction at various stages.
Following an objection by counsel for the defendants, Samson Lardy Anyenini, over the manner of questioning, the presiding judge, Justice Comfort Kwasiwor Tasiame, directed the witness to answer either “yes” or “no,” with an explanation if necessary.
Rev. Laryea subsequently told the court that his personal financial contribution to the physical building “cannot be easily quantified.” He further testified that while the headquarters initially financed part of the project, the local church later continued construction after the introduction of the Become Who You Can Become policy.
The court also heard that Rev. Laryea acknowledged receiving a vehicle from LCI during his missionary work in Kade. He further testified that under the policy, local churches were responsible for paying pastors’ salaries, rent and other operational expenses, and that pastors had discretion to determine their own salaries from church funds.
Earlier in the trial, an LCI witness, Marcel Aboagye, testified that the Become Who You Can Become policy did not require pastors to finance church buildings with their personal funds. According to him, the policy expressly stated that the church headquarters would continue acquiring land and constructing church buildings. He also told the court that no evidence had been produced to support the claim that pastors personally financed the projects.
The plaintiff also disputes other claims contained in the publications, including allegations that former pastors Larry Odonkor, Faith Makafui Fiakojo and Seth Duncan personally financed church and school projects in Wa, Fumbisi and Bolgatanga before being transferred. LCI maintains that the publications are false and defamatory.
The matter has been adjourned to July 28, 2026, for the continuation of Rev. Laryea’s cross-examination.
