Musama Disco Christo Church: the Ghanaian church founded by a prophet in 1922

The name itself announces something unusual. Musama Disco Christo, said to mean “Army of the Cross of Christ”, is one of Ghana’s oldest African independent churches. It was founded in 1922 by a Methodist catechist who began holding prayer meetings with healings and visions, and was expelled from the Methodist Church as a result.

The founder and Prophet Jehu-Appiah

Joseph William Egyanka Appiah was a teacher and catechist in the Methodist Church in the Gold Coast. He led a prayer group known as the Faith Society. Methodist leaders were uncomfortable with the group’s practices, including prophecy and healing. Appiah was dismissed from the church, and he founded his own movement. Appiah took the name Jemisimiham Jehu-Appiah and became known as Akaboha, a title of leadership. Leadership of the church has passed within his family.

Mozano and royal style

The church established its headquarters at Mozano, in the Gomoa area of the Central Region, which became its holy city. The church’s worship includes singing, drumming, prayers for healing and the use of special names and language. Members wear distinctive white robes and other symbols. The church’s leader is treated with honours similar to those of a chief, reflecting Akan traditions of leadership.

The church spread across Ghana and to other countries, with congregations in many towns.

Spiritual churches and healing

Musama Disco Christo is part of a wider movement of “spiritual churches” in Ghana and West Africa, along with groups such as the Twelve Apostles Church, which emphasise prayer, healing and prophecy. Mainline churches once regarded such movements with suspicion. Today many recognise them as part of African Christianity. Members gather at Mozano for annual celebrations and conventions.

Healing through prayer has been central to the church from its beginnings, and many members joined after seeking healing.

Music, leadership and today

Worship includes singing in Fante and other Ghanaian languages, with drums and other instruments. The church’s leaders have often been called Akaboha, and the title passes within the founder’s family. The church uses special names and words in its worship, which members believe were revealed to the founder. The church remains active across Ghana, with congregations in cities and villages.

A catechist was pushed out of his church for praying differently. The church he founded has now outlasted the colony in which it began.