Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Dr Kojo Asante, has questioned the relevance of the new directive requiring that prophecies involving national leaders and security be formally submitted for review.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, August 16, he said the measure does little to address the real issues of accountability and credibility within religious practice.

“I don’t see the value in it,” Dr Asante stated, adding that the state should not place itself in the position of assessing the "authenticity of prophecies and allowing people to gain notoriety for some of these things."

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He argued that such a move risks undermining freedom of religion and could lead to political interference in spiritual matters.

His comments come in the wake of a directive from the Presidential Envoy for the Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations Office, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, issued on Sunday, August 10.

The directive followed a wave of viral videos in the aftermath of the August 6 military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, which claimed eight lives, including Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.

It encouraged that any prophecy or revelation involving high-profile political leaders, governance, national security, or public stability be submitted for urgent review.

Mr Afriyie Ankrah has since revealed that over 200 prophecies have been submitted, yet only a handful merit consideration.

“By and large, 70–80% is of no substance,” he explained, adding that just 2–5% may require deeper investigation. But Dr Asante maintained that this exercise was unnecessary, noting: “The state should focus on enforcing existing laws rather than entertaining hundreds of prophecies that have no bearing on governance.”