No fear and panic prophecies on 31st December else we will come for you – Police warns religious leaders
The year 2021 is slowly journeying to its end and various activities will be marked to bid 2021 farewell and usher in the new year and a fresh start it is in the light of this that the Ghana Police Service has served a word of caution to religious groups and its leaders to be mindful in the communication of their prophecies in order not to spark controversy.
The Police reminded the various religious groups about the fact that religious freedom is still subject to Ghana’s laws ahead of the December 31 watch night service where most prophecies of the year are delivered.
“Over the years, communication of prophecies of harm, danger and death, by some religious leaders, have created tension and panic in the Ghanaian society and put the lives of many people in fear and danger,” the Police said in a statement.
Our minds should be cast to December 2018, following an infamous prophesy by head pastor of the Glorious Word and Power Ministry, Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah who got some Muslims incensed after a prophecy that a chief imam could die in 2019.
This caused the Odorkor branch of his church to be vandalized as a result of the prophecy.
With this in mind, the Police warned further that “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.”
“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 added.
A person found guilty under these laws could be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to five years.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
