Last year, as part of efforts to control the rate at which some men of God, especially prophets put fear into Ghanaians through prophecies, the Police cautioned religious leaders in Ghana to be measured in their utterances, particularly the way they communicate the messages.
The Police indicated that it was a crime for a person, by means of electronic communications service, to knowingly send a communication that is false or misleading and likely to prejudice the efficiency of life saving service or to endanger the safety of any person.
“We want to caution that under Ghanaian law, it is a crime for a person to publish or reproduce a statement, rumour or report which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the public peace, where that person has no evidence to prove that the statement, rumour or report is true,” the police warned in a statement issued on Monday, December 27 2021.
The statement signed by Superintendent Alexander Obeng, the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, added. “It is also a crime for a person, by means of electronic communications service, to knowingly send a communication that is false or misleading and likely to prejudice the efficiency of life saving service or to endanger the safety of any person.
“A person found guilty under these laws could be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to five years.”
Following this directive, the prophets were unable to deliver their prophecies in the manner that they had earlier been doing.
For instance, Founder and Leader of the Prophetic Chapel Hill Prophet Nigel Gaisie has said he delivered his prophecies for the year 2021 in a manner that wouldn’t flout the directive given by the Police.
After delivering all his prophecies on 31st night, he urged his church members all others that “These are the only prophecies I have for you, if I have seen death and you don’t want me to tell you that is ok, I wont be used as the scape goat.”
He had earlier said he would give his prophecies no matter what the revelations because he is not a coward to be intimidated by the warning that has been given by the Police against the publication of death prophecies.
“I read in somewhere that you have to bring material evidence whether the prophecy . Who has ever dreamt and have material evidence of your dream. The greater component pf prophecy is dream. What they are saying doesn’t wash but for me we will have a way.
“We will cross , I will prophecy in all confidence , there will not be any shadow on that, I will speak the mind of God. Personally, I am not one of the cowards, I have been called by God, I have an assignment and whoever is coming after the church is making a big mistake,” he told TV3 in an interview.
The Leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministries Rev. Owusu Bempah who was also unhappy with the directive cautioned the Inspector General of Police against enforcing laws on prophets and their activities in Ghana.
“Mr, Dampare, you came to meet prophecy and prophecy will outlive your era. I have no issue with you but don’t bring your issues to prophets. If someone commits an illegality deal with him or her but don’t touch the prophets,” he said.
He added that his actions might breed dire consequences on the nation should that happen.
He has therefore advised the IGP and the Ghana Police Service to stay away from the church and its related activities.
“I’m pleading with you, don’t touch pastors, preachers, prophets and anything Christians alone. Leave Christians alone. Muslims also prophesy. You work for the government and will be paid by the government so leave me alone to focus on my work because my reward is in heaven.”
The end of 2023 is fast approaching.
The prophets, as usual, will be delivering their forecast into 2023.
It is unclear whether or not the Police will issue a reminder of this directive or it will be suspended.