The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has called on prophets and religious leaders to use their platforms to confront corruption, nepotism, intolerance and poor governance rather than spreading politically charged prophecies.
In a statement issued in Accra and signed by its General Secretary, Rev. Dr Cyril Fayose, the Council said religious leaders have a responsibility to help build a morally grounded and ethically sound society.
“Prophets and religious leaders owe a duty—to God, to the nation and to their own consciences—to help build a strong society anchored in moral and ethical values,” the statement said.
The Council cautioned against the use of pulpits, traditional media and social media platforms to circulate false or misleading prophecies capable of generating fear or panic.
It pointed to the recent New Patriotic Party (NPP) national primary to elect its flagbearer, where several prophecies were publicly declared about the outcome of the contest. While some predicted the re-election of former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia correctly, others did not.
According to the CCG, the situation raises serious theological concerns.
“How can the same God reveal different outcomes of the same event to different prophets?” the Council asked.
It warned that if political prophecies are not carefully examined, they could create the impression that God is inconsistent.
“In extreme cases, conflicting prophecies may portray God as confused or indecisive—one who declares a matter and then reverses course,” the statement noted.
The Council also questioned whether prophetic focus should be limited to election outcomes.
“Is God concerned only about who wins elections in Ghana? Is He not equally concerned about governance, socio-economic justice and the well-being of His people?” it asked, referencing challenges such as the ‘no bed syndrome’ in hospitals that has led to preventable deaths.
The CCG stressed that authentic prophecy must align with scripture, promote the common good and boldly condemn wrongdoing.
While affirming the constitutional right to religious freedom, the Council emphasised that such freedoms must be exercised responsibly.
“Religious liberty must be balanced with civic responsibility to ensure that the exercise of faith does not generate fear, panic or social unrest,” it said, adding that Ghanaian law does not allow religion to be used as a tool for fear-mongering or incitement.
It cited Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), which criminalises the publication of false statements or rumours likely to cause fear, alarm or disturb public peace.
As Christians observe Lent and Muslims mark Ramadan, the Council urged both communities to use the sacred season for reflection on advancing socio-economic justice and national development.
It said such reflection would better serve the country than the misuse of religious platforms to circulate misleading messages that contribute little to national progress.