EXTRA: Ghana police resound ban on alarmist New Year prophecies

The Ghana Police Service says religious leaders who share “false and misleading prophecies” for the new year will be punished.

According to the police, “false” prophecies are predictions of impending harm, danger, or death and can cause alarm or panic.

Some Christians often gather in churches on new year’s eve to listen to religious leaders make prophetic proclamations about the coming year.

In 2021, the police banned “misleading” prophecies in churches, saying it is a crime to knowingly send a message that is likely to endanger lives.

Anyone found culpable risks up to nine years in jail, the police added.

In a statement on Tuesday, Grace Ansah-Akrofi, the Ghana police spokesperson, said the right of freedom of worship must not violate the rights of others.

She commended religious leaders for not flouting the ban, adding that the police had adopted December 27 annually as ‘Prophecy Communication Compliance Day’ to remind clerics of their commitment to keeping the law.

“A year ago today, December 27, 2021, the Ghana police service drew the attention of the general public, especially members of the religious community to the law regarding the communication of prophecies, and urged compliance to the law to ensure continuous security and law and order in the country,” the statement reads.

“We wish to commend the public, particularly religious groups, for their cooperation over the period by being circumspect and conscious of the law and adopting legally acceptable means of communicating prophecies to those affected.

“This has contributed greatly in creating an environment where people are able to freely profess their faith without unnecessary anxiety and fear of impending harm or death.

“Ghana is indeed grateful to the religious leaders in particular and the religious community as a whole for their patriotic understanding of the situation.

“As the year 2022 draws to a close, we wish to once again entreat the general public, especially faith-based groups, to ensure continuous compliance with the law as it relates to the communication of prophecies.

“Let us continue to remember that whereas we have the right to practise our faith in religion, freedom of worship and speech, this right must not be exercised in violation of the rights of others and the public interest.”