IGP Justifies Regulation Of Prophecies
The Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akufo Dampare has justified the regulation of prophecies in the country.
This was when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on January 19, 2023.
In his submission, he described himself as a stern Christian and a prophet in his own right.
“It’s a Christian and somebody who believes in prophecies and by extension, I’m a prophet in my rights because as a son of God, God will always have the opportunity to have engagement with me and tell me things in the future if only I’m ready to listen.”
Some Christians in Ghana mark 31st December nights with a vigil of prayer and prophetic- with some of the prophecies sending shivers down the spine.
This had been the tradition since time immemorial; however, since the assumption of power by Inspector-General George Akufo Dampare, this has been minimal following caution to religious leaders in December 2021 and 2022.
The IGP has asked prophets to be measured in delivering prophecies.
Before PAC, the IGP said the Police Service is not against prophecies, however, concerned about the mode of communication.
“All the issues we have been putting across as an institution is to prove to everybody that we are not against prophecies. We are talking about communication of such prophecies which will create fear and panic in our society which is unwarranted.”
He said such communication has a negative impact on relatives and friends of the victim.
The regulation of prophecies from the police came after the Service dealt with a panic-creating prophecy over dancehall artiste Shatta wale by one Bishop Stephen Kwesi Appiah.
On October 18, 2021, the news went around that the dancehall artiste had been shot by some gunmen and had been rushed to a hospital, a piece of news that turned out to be untrue.
The musician later said he made that up to cause the arrest of the Head Pastor of the New Life Kingdom Chapel International, Bishop Stephen Kwesi Appiah, known as Jesus Ahuofe- who prophesied that the musician will be shot on 18th October 2021.
Following this, the police launched an investigation and declared Shatta Wale wanted.
The pastor was also arrested and charged.
On October 19, 2021, the musician turned himself in and got arrested.
Prophecy Communication Compliance Day
Following the caution by the Service, 31st December Watch nights in 2021 witnessed an absence of such fear-inspiring prophecies although some religious leaders criticised it.
In the release in 2022, the police commended the public for compliance.
“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.”
It also announced the institution of Prophecy Communication Compliance Day, a day that will be observed on December 27 each year to remind the public about the practice of faith in accordance with the law.
“As part of sustaining the gains made so far, the Police Service has adopted 27th December of each year as the Prophecy Communication Compliance Day. This day is being set aside to remind all of us to practise our faith within the confines of the law to ensure a safe, secure environment, free of anxiety generated from predictions of impending harm, danger, or death.”
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
