The Director of Programmes and Policy Engagement for CDD, Dr Kojo Pumpuni Asante, has criticised the government’s decision to review prophecies from religious leaders.

According to him, he sees no value in the Office of the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations or its role in assessing religious prophecies, particularly those related to high-profile political leaders, governance, national security, or public stability.

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Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on August 16, 2025, Dr Asante indicated that the government’s directive could embolden what he describes as “charlatans,” who, under the guise of giving prophecies, seek to advance their own interests.

“… first of all, the issues about accreditation and regulation and all those things must be where we have been looking about it. In the past, it was about taxation and all those things because also people are actually selling religious products on TV every single day. There's a lot of abuse so, if you enter this place and you say, now we are going to sanitise it and give it presidential endorsement so that now you channel [prophecies], if there are 1,000 prophets now, by that time there'll be 2,000 because what does it do?

"It is basically to incentivise charlatans because there's no punishment for false prophecy. If it's useless, it will be just thrown away, but it gives you some sort of reputation, particularly if you are looking for power, access, notoriety and all of those things. For me, I don't see the value in it,” he said.

Dr Asante’s comments come in response to a statement dated August 10, 2025, issued by Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, urging religious leaders to submit their prophecies for review.

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The statement noted that the directive specifically applies to prophecies concerning high-profile political leaders, governance, national security, or public stability.

According to the statement, the move is intended to promote responsibility, discernment, and proper stewardship over the nation’s destiny, especially during these uncertain times.

MAG/AE

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