Ghanaian government has warned religious groups to desist from communicating dooms prophecies during New Year messages or risk a jail term of five years.
A statement by the Ghana Police Service on Monday said Ghanaians have the right to religion, freedom of worship and free speech, but are subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others.
“The Ghana Police Service wishes to draw the attention of Ghanaians, especially religious groups, to the fact that whereas we have the right to religion, freedom of worship and free speech, all of these rights are subject to the respect for the rights and freedoms of others according to our laws.”
It said over the years, communication of prophecies of harm, danger, and death, by some religious leaders, have created tension and panic in Ghanaian society and put the lives of many people in fear and danger.
According to the statement, It is also a crime for a person, by means of electronic communications service, to knowingly send communication that is false or misleading and likely to prejudice the efficiency of life-saving service or to endanger the safety of any person.
It, therefore, cautions all Ghanaians, especially religious leaders to be measured in their utterances, especially how they communicate prophecies, which may injure the right of others and the public interest.
