Police Set Dec 27 Prophecy Communication Compliance Day

The Ghana Police Service has set aside December 27 as “Prophecy Communication Compliance Day” across the country.

With this, the service seeks to, each year, remind the religious community to practise their faith within the confines of the law.

It will be recalled that in December last, and for the first time in Ghana’s history, the Police Service under the leadership of Inspector-General George Akufo Dampare cautioned religious leaders against causing panic and fear through prophecies ahead of the 31st December vigils.

“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.

“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, explained.

“A person found guilty under these laws could be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to five years”, it added.

Shatta Wale Death Prophecy
This release from the police came after the Service had 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 a release this year, 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 once again called on the religious body to continue in compliance noting 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.”

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