Twice this year, the country has seen two Prophets predicting the destruction of the world.
On May 21, 2011, Harold Camping, a radio christian show host, hit the airwaves with his May 21 prophecy of the end of the world, a date that has elapsed without any possibility of the world coming to a standstill. As if this "predict and fail" syndrome was not enough, another Prophet of doom, Peter Anamoh of the Machaira of the Pneuma Foundation staged a crusade in the country to conscientize the general public about the doomsday on November 11.
His hallmark "11-11-11" which was supposed to mark the end of the world became a fiasco last friday when some believers of God and the public awaited the outcome of the Prophet's prediction. This sudden biblical misinterpretation has raised eyebrows as people begin to find a possible means to end such predictions.
It is in the wake of this that the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea, has urged Ghanaians to be wary of people who claim they are ordained "men of God". He attributed these unscriptural prophecies to mere popularity explaining that what such self-esteemed Prophets seek for is a chance to be recognised by the society. He said that such failed prophecies only emanate from people's mindset and as a result should not be taken seriously.
Tounching on the issue of causing fear and panic, Lawyer Atta Akyea described Prophet Peter Anamoh's false prophecy as an "expensive" freedom of speech, hence, doubting the extent to which a person can freely express himself or herself. According to him, a person's freedom of speech should not be defined by peddling falsehood and such attempt, especially when men of God are involved, is a dangerous trend.
He explained that a person is seen to have caused fear and panic when by his or her utterance, he or she causes a false alarm which would be detrimental to the society.
He however said that, even though there is no clear cut line to convict the Prophet on the basis of causing fear and panic, a lawsuit could be filed against the Prophet. He disclosed that if any criminal implication is established against the Prophet's declaration of the doomsday, the Attorney General can take him on in the law court.
Expanding further on the Attorney General's role in prosecuting Prophets and Pastors who give false prophecies, he cited Article 88 which says that every criminal action will be at the suit of the Attorney General, adding that it is incumbent on the Attorney General's Department to lawfully deal with such Prophets and Preachers of God. This he believes will serve as a deterrent to other people who claim to be men of God and also put an end to such unbiblical prophecies.
He further stated that the police service in consultation with the Attorney General can apprehend the Head Prophet of Machaira of the Pneuma foundation should his declaration be deemed criminal.
Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Xfm/Accra/Ghana
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