President of the Trinity Theological Seminary at Legon has suggested that prophets who publicly announce death-related prophecies should be interrogated by the police.

According to Rev. Prof Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, such prophecies have the tendency to cause fear and panic to the people involved as well as their close relations, hence there is a need to subject the prophets to the law, especially when their prophecies fail.

Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile on October 30, 2021, the pastor recounted an instance when a well-known prophet prophesied the death of two prominent personalities in the country, which turned out to be a hoax.

"Incidentally, both figures were members of my congregation and I had to do damage control by telling them not to be afraid and assured them that nothing will happen," he said.

"Three years down the line, they are still alive. I would have loved for such prophets to be picked up and interrogated by the police," he added.

Recent prophesies have triggered conversations about religion and the law. Not long ago, Leader of New Life Kingdom Chapel International, Stephen Akwasi, was picked up by the police and arraigned following his role in the Shatta Wale hoax shooting incident.

Popularly known as Jesus ‘Ahuofe’, the prophet was seen in a viral video explaining circumstances under which the self-acclaimed Dancehall King would be shot. The dancehall artiste cited this as the reason for his recent fake shooting escapade.

In light of this and other instances of false prophecies, panelists on Saturday's edition of Newsfile discussed the matter and educated the general public on the provisions of the law with regard to false prophecies, as well as other conducts of pastors which are against the law.

During the show, renowned Private Legal Practioner, Ace Ankomah cautioned pastors who engage in the prophetic business to be wary of how they communicate prophecies that are likely to cause fear and panic among the public.

He contended that although there is no law that bans prophesy, originators of prophecies that spell doom would be made to face the law if they fail to use the appropriate channels to communicate whatever is revealed to them by God.

He further noted that religious leaders, should take reasonable measures to verify the accuracy of any prophecy before publicising it.

This he said is because, in court, prophets must prove their claims physically.

“If it cannot be seen, heard, smelt, tasted, or touched, it is not evidence. Unless it is opinion evidence. Death is not good news. If you do that, the law will ask how were you able to verify. With due respect, 'God revealed to me in a dream' is not evidence in court,” he added.