Faith, Fear and the World of Prophecy
It is that time of the year when Ghana’s prophets and seers predict the future of the country and some prominent personalities in the country and abroad. Those pronouncements by the so-called men of the cloth have generated so much controversy that police authorities stepped in in 2020 to admonish the religious and Christian communities against the untoward effects of the prophecies on intended persons.
Inspector General of Police Dr. George Akuffo Dampare has been against the haunting practice, describing it as causing unnecessary fear and panic among those who fall victim to them. Fortunately for the prophets the right to free speech, however, hurtful and menacing, is a constitutional right so not much can be done about it. The warnings notwithstanding, this year did not make any difference.
Between the two main religious groups in Ghana, Christianity and Islam, we realize that prophecies are considered significant and sacred. Their holy books, the Bible and the Koran, however, warn against impostors and false prophets. There are 55 prophetic messages announcing the birth of Jesus Christ believed to be the son of God in the Old Testament.
Two of such prophets who hardly miss their prophetic missions on cue, Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah, Head of Glorious Word Power Ministries International and Rev. Nigel Gaisie, General Overseer of the Prophetic Hill Chapel were on hand to deliver this year’s bunch of prophetic messages. Owusu Bempah, prophesied about a possible coup d’etat in Ghana this year.
Among others, he claimed on the night of December 31, 2022 at a watchnight service that Ghana 2023 will see a lot of plane crashes; there would also be deadly floods, etc. Nigel Gaisie is also reported to have dropped more than 50 prophesies about the Republic of Yempe Nokware a new pseudonym he has coined for Ghana to escape any legal issues following Ghana Police warnings about prophesies. On the night of December 31, 2021, he used the Republic of Umoufia. A few other men of God have also dropped their versions of predictions about Ghana and the world in 2023. And they have all received various forms of reviews and opinions mostly questionable from lay people to clergy.
Amandla does not recall commenting on the subject of prophecies anytime in the past but we realize that it is becoming more self-serving and unproductive. The mainstream Christian community have of late lost adherents to the Pentecostals following claims and beliefs among the latter as more spiritually endowed. The rate at which Pentecostal congregations spring up is phenomenal.
And their adopted modus operandi is prophetic messaging which attract membership. Bearing such titles as archbishops, bishops, apostles and some less intimidating as general overseers and overseers they all generate the same messages and they all adopt the same strategies. The smart ones are able to gravitate from unknown to become senior advisers to politicians because they are able to predict elections results.
A statement made by Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah has elicited anger and disgust from National Chief Imam of Ghana, Sheikh Dr. Usman Nuhu Sharabutu who has asked the Inspector General of Police to call Owusu Bempa to order. Rev, Owusu Bempah claimed that the Chief Imam is among those who consults him on matters spiritual.
In a reaction, the office of the National Chief Imam wants the Inspector General of Police to call the head of the Glorious Word Power Ministries International, Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah to order as “the former continues to make His Eminence a subject of controversial prophecies.” Owusu Bempah is cautioned to desist from making disparaging remarks about the Chief Imam. The Office of the National Chief Imam asked the general public to disregard those claims made by Rev. Owusu Bempah, adding that “His Eminence is a champion of interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence does not seek protection and prosperity from charlatans in the pulpit.” Allah is sufficient for any person who relies on Him.” Quran 65:3
The Head Pastor of the Assemblies of God Christian Center in Kumasi, Rev. Osei Karikari, describing Prophet Nigel Gaisie as a joke, is reported to have issued a stern warning to Mr. Gaisie over his prophecies. Pastor Osei Karikari goes further to recommend that Gaisie be banned from prophesying in the country.
Nigel, according to Rev. Karikari Gaisie is a disgrace to the prophetic ministry. Among his many prophecies for 2023 a new Catholic pope will be installed and an old man will win the oncoming Nigerian elections but will be succeeded by a younger man and Nigeria will enjoy peace.
President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Rev. Paul Frimpong Manso has advised Ghanaians to dismiss what he described as the 31st night declarations because they fail the Biblical standard for prophecies. He regards those pastors as playing on the intelligence of Ghanaians because most of the issues are bound to happen anyway during any calendar year. “I will say 99% of them if not 100%, do not pass the Biblical standard of prophecies.” “…they are just causing confusion and disturbing us, he adds.”
Many of the prophecies may be menacing, causing fear and panic, but inadvertently the pastors derive economic benefits from them. Those who score more points in their predictions attract more adherents, many of who pay huge fees for consultation. Again, the number and caliber of persons who approach them attract more clientele and boosts their reputations. It is in pursuant of such status and prominence that attract many of the pastors to join the so-called prophetic ministry.
Amandla warns Ghanaians and others elsewhere in general to look before they leap in such matters. Many have lost life and property through apocryphal predictions mainly out of their belief in the word of God and the men of God. We do not know any honest prophet and we would not recommend any either. Prophecies are part of many religious traditions, including African religions and they are all suspect in their deliveries, we dare say.
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