Mr Kofi Bentil, a private legal practitioner, has warned Men of God who have a problem with the warning issued to Pastors against the dissemination of doom prophesies that the advice did not state that they should not prophesy.
Some clergy have raised reservations about the Police’s caution.
For example, Prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah, the founder and leader of Glorious Word Power Ministry International, has asked the Inspector-General of Police, COP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, to invite men of God who believe in predictions to give him a thorough briefing on prophetic ministry.
Mr. Owusu Bempah believed that the IGP issued the order prohibiting the publication of the death prophesies after receiving information from pastors who did not believe in prophetic ministry.
In the run-up to New Year’s Eve celebrations, Ghana’s police warned religious leaders to be careful with their words, especially how they transmit prophecies.
“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.
“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,” the statement signed by Superintendent Alexander Obeng, the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, added.
“A person found guilty under these laws could be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to five years.”
The nationwide services on Friday were the first since Inspector-General of Police Dr. George Akuffo Dampare entered office.
He had talked with religious leaders about predictions that were causing fear and panic throughout the country.
That meeting was prompted by a fake gun attack on prominent artist Shatt Wale, who subsequently said that he did so in response to a prophesy given by the Founder and Leader of New Life Kingdom Chapel, Bishop Stephen Kwesi Appiah, on an Accra-based radio station before to the Monday, October 18 incident.
The man of God, also known as Jesus Ahuofe, was detained and eventually given GH100,000 bail.
The police confessed that they are not opposed to predictions, particularly in a nation where God is fundamental to many people’s lives.
“There should be no apprehensions, therefore, about undertaking the various activities.
“We ask only that everyone keeps within the law and is mindful of the welfare of each other.”
However, at his 31st night preaching on Friday, December 31, Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah said, “I will like to appeal to the IGP that if he needs briefings on the prophetic ministry, he should invite some of us, not pastors who do not believe in prophecies.”
Mr. Bentil, Vice President of Imani Africa, commented on this event, saying, “Dear OSofoIGP hasn’t said don’t prophesy ooo. Just make sure it is not illegal!! If it’s illegal it is NOT prophesy it’s crime.
“If your problem is that your prophecy is potentially illegal then please your Bible says the Spirit of the Prophet is subject to the Prophet so exercise order!! For God is not the author of confusion !! You cannot have a problem with caution to do what’s right!!”
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SOURCE: 3NEWS
