Ghana: Police Reiterates Warning On Communication Of Prophecies

The Ghana Police Service has reminded all, especially faith-based organisations that the law on the communication of prophecies is still in force.

It prohibits the public communication of doomsday prophecies, particularly of deaths and harm and similar ones with the potential to lead to the breakdown of law and order.

The Police says it has consequently instituted 27th December every year as Prophecy Communication Compliance Day “to remind all of us, to practice 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.”

A year ago the police took on faith based organisations that inundated the public with predictions of imminent deaths and calamity that were supposed to be visited on individuals, and pointed to the law that it prohibited the public communication of such doom, for which offenders risked arrests and prosecution.

The action for the first time, sanitised the religious space in the country and watchnight services in particular were rid of the controversial prophecies of harm and death.

The Police Service in a statement issued Tuesday morning, said as part of efforts at sustaining the gains made so far, it has adopted 27th December of each year as the Prophecy Communication Compliance Day as a reminder for all to practice our faith within the confines of 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.

“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,” the statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs, Chief Superintendent Grace Ansah-Akrofi said, and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Read the full statement below: