Following last week’s tragic military helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, Ghana’s Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has sought to clarify the government’s call for sensitive prophecies to be shared with authorities before going public.
The move, he said, is aimed at safeguarding national security and ensuring responsible communication, not curbing religious freedoms.
Mr Afriyie Ankrah noted that the aftermath of the crash has seen a surge in videos, audio messages, and social media posts from individuals claiming to have foreseen the incident.
He expressed concern that such revelations often bypass official channels, leaving no avenue for timely verification or action. “A lot of them have serious security implications,” he said, stressing the need for a structured process.
While defending the right of prophets to speak freely, the envoy urged restraint when the message involves the President, Vice President, or senior government officials. “We are humbly requesting that such issues be formally relayed to my office for urgent review,” he explained, likening the situation to the reaction in other nations if a similar prophecy targeted a head of state.
To bolster his point, Mr Afriyie Ankrah cited biblical teachings that encourage careful testing of prophecies, including First Thessalonians 5:20-21 and First John 4:1. He proposed a collaborative approach where spiritual leaders could privately engage with authorities, with discussions aimed at understanding the message and taking necessary action without creating public panic.
“This is not about negativity,” he concluded. “It’s about acting in a way that protects the country and honours the responsibility that comes with spiritual insight. Whether it’s prophecy, vision, or revelation — everything begins and ends with prayer.”
