In a bizarre scene captured on video and going viral across social media platforms, hundreds of devoted followers of Prophet Stephen Adom Kyei-Duah flocked to the grounds of the newly inaugurated Philadelphia City Auditorium in Ghana on January 6, 2026.
The massive 20,000-capacity venue, completed just last year by the Believers Worship Center, had hosted a record-breaking New Year’s crossover service days earlier. Believers, convinced of the site’s divine anointing, were seen frantically scooping up handfuls of sand, believing it carries miraculous powers for prosperity and breakthroughs in their lives. This act stems from the prophet’s teachings on faith-driven abundance, which have drawn both massive crowds and scrutiny over the years.
VIDEO: Viral Rush for ‘Holy Sand’ at Stephen Adom Kyei-Duah’s Church Spark Debate
Prophet Adom Kyei-Duah, who founded the Believers Worship Center in 2010, has built a reputation on prosperity gospel principles, including popular sermons like “The Order of Prosperity.” His ministry emphasizes that acts of faith, sometimes involving financial sacrifices, can unlock divine blessings. Critics, however, argue that such practices border on exploitation, especially in a nation grappling with economic challenges. The auditorium’s construction, funded through the church’s exponential growth, symbolizes this blend of spiritual fervor and material ambition, but the sand-digging incident has amplified calls for greater oversight of religious activities in Ghana.
Social media reactions have been swift and divided, with many users mocking the event as a sign of superstitious manipulation in modern Pentecostalism. Comments on platforms like X highlight broader concerns about how charismatic leaders capitalize on followers’ desperation amid rising poverty. Yet, defenders of the faith describe it as a harmless expression of belief, drawing parallels to biblical stories of sacred elements bringing healing and favor. No official response has come from the church yet, but the video’s spread underscores ongoing debates about religion’s role in African societies.
Experts on African religious movements note that such rituals often strengthen community ties in times of hardship, providing hope where economic systems fall short. While no formal studies have examined this specific occurrence, similar practices in Pentecostal circles across the continent reveal a pattern of blending traditional spirituality with contemporary evangelism. As Ghana trends with this story, it raises questions about the fine line between genuine devotion and potential undue influence in spiritual communities.
