IGP Dr. Dampare
THE GHANA Police Service says it is reviewing video footages of prophecies made by certain pastors across the country on December 31, 2021 to determine appropriate action to take against those culpable of breaching the law.
The prophecies contained in the said videos would attract legal action should they breach laws pertaining to public information which cause fear and panic in the country.
Although the usual seeming competitive spewing of prophecies by so-called prophets witnessed a marked reduction last year, the situation was attributed to a police warning that breaches of the law would attract sanction.
Notice of the review of the video footages by the police was contained in a statement issued by the Public Affairs Directorate of the Ghana Police Service which said that “the Police is reviewing multiple video footages regarding prophecies on 31st night of December 2021.”
The originators of prophecies which contravene the laws of the country, the police warned, would be prosecuted, the statement pointed out.
Such contravention, the police explained, is when such prophecies cause fear and panic or even endanger lives.
The police explained further that such prophecies are not limited to those made on the eve of the New Year, but all year-round. Those who make such prophecies should be guided by the circumstances underpinning prophecies, lest they breach the law, the statement went on.
The police were quick to add however, that they and the law, cannot stand against the practice of religious rites by citizens.
According to the statement, “We wish to reiterate that the law and the Police are not against religious practices or the performance of religious doctrines and beliefs such as prophecies.”
The statement added however that, “If such information is communicated publicly and undermines the laws of the state, the relevant laws and sanctions will be applied.”
It will be recalled that the IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, warned against such prophecies which had the tendency to cause fear and panic in the dying days of last year, a warning which was largely heeded.
There were multiple occurrences whose subtle prophecies have attracted the attention of the law enforcers.
One video which made it to social media, although not about a prophecy, had a pastor bathing women in his church. This was later said to be part of a movie although the pornographic nature of the footage caused public outrage.
The women who were bathed received new panties even as the congregation watched on.
The throwing of caution to the winds on social media, the order of things on these channels, will witness a change as the police have riveted their attention on both traditional and new media.
By A.R. Gomda