Former Chairman of the National Peace Council and past Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante, has criticised the recent directive requiring clergy to submit prophecies for government review, describing it as “populist” and not in the nation’s best interest.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Prof. Asante stressed that prophecies are a private spiritual matter.
“We cannot rule the nation on the basis of prophecies because how do you determine which is right or not?” he asked.
He added, “The men of God who have been blessed with visions must pray about them and handle them spiritually.”

The directive, issued by Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, urged prophets, pastors, and clergy to formally submit any prophecy or spiritual insight of national significance—particularly those concerning political leaders, governance, security, or public stability—to his office for review and possible escalation. This was framed as an act of “responsibility, discernment, and stewardship over the nation’s destiny.”

However, Prof. Asante argued that elected officials should focus on governance without undue influence from religious pronouncements.
“We shouldn’t rule the country based on what a leader’s pastor or fetish priest says,” he emphasised.

He further noted that some policies and decisions are strictly within the remit of political leadership and should not be subject to public speculation.