The warning by the Ghana Police Service that it will go after and prosecute any religious leader who will prophesy harm, danger and death of any individual or group without proof of the prophecy being true is one of the leading stories in the Ghanaian press on Tuesday.
The Graphic reports that the Ghana Police Service is serving notice it will go after and prosecute any religious leader who will prophesy harm, danger and death of any individual or group without proof of the prophecy being true.
The same fate also awaits all who publish such information or share same via electronic means, especially where the said communication has the potential to cause fear and alarm to the public or endanger lives.
Sources close to the police hierarchy who hinted Graphic Online about the resolve of the police to deal with such waywardness that has become part of the annual ritual of end of year Watchnight church services and New Year Resolutions, said the Police Administration will soon confirm the warning with an official statement.
“We want to caution that under Ghanaian law, it is a crime for a person to publish or reproduce a statement, rumour or report which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the public peace, where that person has no evidence to prove that the statement, rumour or report is true.
“It is also a crime for a person, by means of electronic communications service, to knowingly send a communication that is false or misleading and likely to prejudice the efficiency of life saving service or to endanger the safety of any person.”
While the Police Service has insisted that it is not against prophecies and has time and again acknowledged the public’s right to religion, freedom of worship and free speech, it has also pointed to the fact that the rights are subject to laws.
The newspaper says that COVID-19 infections are increasing in Ghana, with many new infections reported in the last few days.
The total active cases as reported by the Ghana Health Service on Tuesday (December 28, 2021) is 8,554
As of Monday evening the total active cases were 7,353. But by Tuesday morning, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) reported an updated active cases of 8,554, which represents what had been recorded as of December 24, 2021.
There have been 140,221 confirmed infections and 1,283 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the country since the pandemic began.
The average number of new infections reported each day in Ghana rises by more than 350 over the last 3 weeks, 37 percent of its previous peak.
A total of 6,924,267 vaccines doses had been administered as of December 20, 2021.
Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 12 percent of the country’s population.
The Graphic also reports that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in his 2021 Christmas message to the nation has urged Ghanaians to use the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ to deepen the cohesion that exists among them to facilitate the growth of the country.
In a statement on his social media handles, the Vice President implored Ghanaians to use the period to reflect and for the renewal of mindsets, to ensure collaborative, cohesive national development.
“May the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ bring to us a regenerative mindset and deepen the bond of togetherness in developing Ghana our motherland,” he added in his message.
Dr Bawumia recalled the complications that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused and pleaded with celebrants, individuals and families to adhere to the safety precautionary measures as they make merry and help the socially disadvantaged.
“Let’s continue to adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols as we put smiles on the faces of humanity.”
Dr Bawumia said: “Hajia Samira and I wish all Christians a Merry Christmas.”
GIK/APA