The Ghana Police Service has commenced investigation to ascertain whether some religious leaders in the country flouted directive issued against prophecies.
According to the Service, it has received multiple videos containing some prophecies on December 31, 2021 that are deemed to have violated the directive.
“Police have begun analyzing these videos to ascertain whether any of them is in breach of the laws of the country,” portions of the statement issued on Thursday January 6, 2022 said.
Police however thanked all religious bodies and individuals for their unflinching support for its proactive policing initiative on the communication of prophecies and related matters.
The police therefore cautioned Religious leaders in Ghana to be measured in their utterances, particularly the way they communicated the prophecies.
“We want to caution that the law on publication of information including prophecies that has tendencies to cause fear and panic or put people’s lives in danger is not limited to 31st December only but should be adhered to on daily basis.
Police earlier explained 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.
“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.
“A person found guilty under these laws could be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to five years,” the statement issued on December 27, 2021 and signed by Superintendent Alexander Obeng, Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service said.
By Vincent Kubi