'Prophet Owusu-Bempah's utterances in bad faith"
The John Institute of African Politics and Society, a civil society social democratic think tank, has noted with deep concern the recent utterances of the Head Pastor of the Glorious Word Power Ministry International, Prophet Owusu-Bempah, regarding some political developments in the country.
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It will be recalled that Prophet Owusu Bempah predicted the death of President John Dramani Mahama, a past President, a past Speaker, two chiefs and further predicted that the election petition would be decided by the Supreme Court in favour of the NPP Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, and as a consequence, the removal from office through court order of President Mahama. All these extraordinary events are programmed to occur this year, 2013.
A statement signed by Mr Colin Essamuah and Mr Emmanuel Wiafe of the institute, described the utterances as ‘extremely astonishing claims, cloaked in the widely accepted uniform of the Pentecostal and charismatic faiths of millions of Ghanaian Christians.’
In the view of the institute, the prophet’s utterances have been the cause of much consternation in the political arena.
“The John Institute would normally have ignored these rather outlandish utterances but for the interest they have generated in the political classes in this country since they were made public about two weeks ago. The John Institute wishes to use this platform to register, in the strongest possible terms, its disgust at and complete rejection of the utterances of this so-called Man of God. We condemn in no uncertain terms, the blatant misuse of the Word of God, and the manipulation of the religious beliefs of Ghanaians for crass political objects. We are horrified and disturbed that the claims in this so-called prophecy, which are manifestly untrue and impossible, have formed the bases for another round of baseless recriminations in our politics” it stated.
According to the institute, the falsity of the prophecy is patently obvious from any cursory analysis of its constituent ingredients and argues that, “We are not told whether President Mahama would die before or after the election petition has run its course and his current position invalidated; we are not even told the probable cause of his prophesied demise, neither are we made aware of what will cause the deaths of the others, including the chiefs. We are not told the exact nature of the court verdict that will end the Presidency of President Mahama.”
The institute pointed out that the overall negative effect of these dangerous, destabilising statements about the leading functionaries in our country is the only object of this Man of God, not the illogical details that beg further explanations.
The John Institute is of the firm opinion that some individuals are seeking through other means rather than through the approved constitutional means of elections, to determine the political leadership of this country.
It said that these people have become the mouthpieces of certain leaders and parties in Ghana who having lost elections in free and fair polls, are seeking power through the flagrant abuse of the religious faith of our citizens. Such people need to be told that our political leaders are chosen as an act of the exercise of the political will of Ghanaians and not an act of God.
According to the institutue, wishing or prophesying the death of any chief in this country was a very serious customary infraction punishable by heavy penalties in the palace, and trusted the Asanteman Council would invite their subject and sanction him appropriately.
It added that the task of true Men of God was to lead the faithful to God in soothing and prayerful language, not to preach political destabilisation and breach cultural norms with impunity.
“It is doubly revealing of the true intent and purpose of these Men of God that they see visions of this political nature, but have nothing to say about other pressing issues like extravagant funerals, extortionate tithing, and other nauseating vices which are eroding the moral bases of our society, and which have received their blessing and support”, it stated.
The John Institute knows that the death of a President and other important functionaries in our constitutional order is fully provided for in the laws of the country, and not a matter for the politicised dreams of prophets, seers, and other self-acclaimed pastors seeking attention for their failed ministry of grace and prayer.