General News of Monday, 7 January 2019

Source: 3news.com

Owusu Bempah may have personality disorder, let’s help him – Prof. Kamil

Reverend Owusu Bempah Reverend Owusu Bempah

Having observed Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah for years, a behavioral scientist Prof. Naail Mohammed Kamil suspects that the man of God may be suffering from a mental condition known as Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD).

A histrionic personality disorder is characterized by constant attention-seeking, emotional overreaction, and suggestibility. A person with this condition tends to over-dramatize situations, which may impair relationships and lead to depression.

Rev. Owusu Bempah, leader of the Glorious Word and Power Ministry who has courted controversies in the past for his doomsday prophecies once again made jaw-dropping prophecies on December 31, 2018, during the watch night service in his church. He said high profile personalities like former President Mahama, current Vice President Dr. Bawumia and National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharabutu will die this year.

But Prof. Mohammed Kamil, who is a senior lecturer at the Department of Human Resource and Organizational Development of KNUST is inviting Rev. Owusu Bempah for interaction to enable him to assess his psychological condition and give him the necessary support.

He was quick to add that his views on the pastor are not borne out of emotions due to the current death-related prophesies.

Prof. Kamil, who is also the Consulting Vice President for the Madina Institute of Science and Technology in Accra and have worked in Malaysia and Indonesia as a behavioral scientist, told Alpha Radio’s Abdul Basit that he has critically observed some personalities in the country with a similar disorder.

He noted that people with HPD have a high need for attention, make loud and inappropriate appearances, exaggerates their behaviors and emotions, and crave stimulation. They, he added, usually have good social skills, thereby making use, misuse and abuse of those skills to manipulate others into making them the center of attention.

As an expert in the behavioral sciences, Prof Naail Kamil extended an invitation to Rev. Owusu Bempah: “My doors are open to him, for sure I will assist him with psychological treatment if he happens to be a candidate of HPD”.

Prof Naail added that Ghanaians have co-existed peacefully for decades despite their complex socio-cultural and multi-religious backgrounds, and therefore cautioned the youth, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, to desist from any counterproductive and criminal acts, especially attacking Owusu Bempah just because they disagree with his prophecies.

He also appealed to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the former President John Mahama, and the Chief Imam, to forgive Rev. Owusu Bempah for claiming they will die this year.