Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has chastised the Ghana Police Service for its caution to religious leaders against prophecies that induce fear and panic.

Sammy Gyamfi in his latest epistle noted that although there are some fake prophets, he cannot fathom how prophecies can cause fear and panic as the security agencies are representing it.

According to him, believers of prophecies know that they are meant for the good of the receiver, therefore the move by the police can have dire consequences on the work of genuine men of God and the Church in general.

For those who do not believe in the divine acts, he said, “then you must not even listen to or pay attention to same. You cannot reasonably be heard to say that a prophetic word has caused you fear and panic when you profess not to believe in prophecy. That’s a contradiction. How can you be afraid of something you don’t believe in?”

Ahead of December 31 church services, which are usually held to mark the end of the year and to usher in a new year, various religious leaders announce prophecies, sometimes declaring the death of persons.

The Police say while freedom of religion is guaranteed under the Constitution, the communication of prophecies of harm, danger and death by some religious leaders can cause tension in society.

Although the Ghana Charismatic and Pentecostal Council (GPCC) has welcomed the Police’s warning, Mr Gyamfi insists that prophecies are given by God.

“For me, the issue of prophecy is an issue of spirituality, faith, and belief. If you don’t believe in it, don’t listen or pay attention to it. It’s as simple as that. But if you believe in it, know that God reveals to redeem. And that all prophecies are for exhortation, edification, and comfort.

“At worst, an individual offended by a word of prophecy can seek legal remedy in tort. The 1992 Constitution of Ghana guarantees all persons in Ghana the right to freely practice their religion and to manifest the same. Why then are some people trying to criminalize and/or regulate prophecies?”

He, therefore, charged the Inspector-General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare to “do well if he focuses on his core mandate of fighting crime instead of meddling in matters of faith.”