The police, not against prophesies: Do not incite the Christian Community against them

The impunity with which some religious charlatans hid behind the sacred name of God to cause fear and panic and endanger the lives of celebrities and other iconic figures in Ghana became alarming.

This compelled the current Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akufo Dampare, to use relevant state laws to check this ungodly behaviour of business men and motivational speakers in the cloak of men of God. To this end, he threw the law at these quack prophets in December 2021 as he hinted on how their actions constitute a breach to the laws of the country for which reason his out would not hesitate to prosecute those found palpable.

The general public gladly welcomed the directive. Consequently, the 2021 31st December Watch Night Service was observed without those fear and panic prohecies.

Since the best tradition must go on, the police have reiterated their decision to enforce same laws this year. This, they did, by issuing a press statement to remind those preachers whose God don't speak to them unless 31st December that, the directive is still valid and shall be enforced.

Following this reminder, a renowned man of God, Dr Lawrence Tetteh, the founder of Worldwide Miracle Outreach, has condemned this decision, arguing that it is not in the place of the police to determine the kind of prophecies to be given by the men of God.

The renowned international evangelist also views the position of the police as an impediment to freedom of speech and expression: "It is very dangerous and undermines freedom of expression, freedom of views and freedom of worship and I think it is wrong for the police to make such a pronouncement," Dr Tetteh shared his opinion.

It did not end there! The man of God went on to advertently or inadvertently incite the Christian community against the police, an action that must be condemned by all. "I believe that should be considered an insult to the church, and I personally take strong objection to the police assuming that authority," the man of God is reported to have said in a discussion.

It is a common knowledge that people who feel insulted react angrily. It is against this backdrop that I consider the pronouncement of the man of God as an act that is intended to incite the Christian community against the police.

Arguing his case, Dr Tetteh is reported to have said that the police could consider engaging his colleagues, whom he admits go overboard in the cause of exercising their freedom of worship. I find this position quite problematic because it is just like telling the police to engage armed robbers rather than letting them understand that their activities constitute a breach to law.

It is also a distortion on the part of Dr Tetteh to suggest that the police have assumed the responsibility of determining the kind of prophecies that should be given at the end of the year. The police have never done this nor attempted to do same.

They are only against the kind of prophecies that cause fear and panic in the country. It is also important to note that the police service is created by the 1992 Constitution and mandated to enforce laws that were created by other authorities of state.

It is equally important to note that the action of the police is equally backed by the Bible. The sacred book of Christians states, "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear: but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Aba Father" (Romans 8:5, KJV). This scripture clearly frowns on any utterances or actions that would cause people to panic and fear.

What if God gives out such prophecies to the men of God? In such situations the God who said in the bible that, "Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom and in all thy getting, get understanding," ( Proverbs 1:7, KJV) would expect those pastors to apply wisdom as Prohet Nathan in the bible did.

It is clear from this point of view that the police are not against prophecies so no "man of God" should incite the Christian community against our law enforcement offiers.

The author is a social commentator.

By Bala Ali