Ahead of the 31st December night religious activities, the Ghana Police Service has issued directives to the religious bodies on the legal implications of some of their prophesies.
In a statement to the press, the Ghana police indicated that while the right of religious association and free speech is guaranteed by the constitution, these rights are equally not absolute.
In Ghana 31st December nights are associated with a number of prophesies, most of which have carried prophesies on death and harm to, mostly influential and well-known personalities, in Ghana.
In the past, some of these prophesies have led to some tension, causing fear and panic, consequently.
The case in point is the 2019 prophesy by Rev.Owusu Bempah, which among others predicted the death of the Sheik Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, the Chief Imam of Ghana.
Series of events that followed this prophesy were not in good taste.
To avert similar instances and situation, the Ghana police is cautioning religious groups on the need to desist from making or spreading statements that have the potential of causing alarm, fear, panic while compromising the security situation of the country.
‘‘It is also a crime for a person, by means of electronic communications services, to knowingly send a communication that is false or misleading and likely to prejudice the efficiency of life saving services or to endanger the safety of any person,’’ the stamen reads in part.
According to Ghana Police, persons who are found guilty under these laws will be liable to a term of imprisonment up to 5 years.
The Statement, which was signed by SUPT. Alexander Kwaku Obeng, Director of Public Affairs, also encouraged religious bodies to adhere to all COVID-19 protocols to safeguard against the spread of the virus.