Faith, politics, risk of spiritual instrumentalisation
Ghana is a highly religious society.
From early morning prayers to late-night vigils, and from church sermons to mosque addresses, faith plays a central role in shaping our moral views, political awareness, and shared identity.
This is not a flaw in our democracy but a key aspect of our social fabric. However, recent events show that when faith and politics mix, there are risks, especially when spiritual beliefs are involved in public debates in ways that undermine their purpose and trustworthiness.
The recent prophecy by Prophet ElBernard that Kennedy Agyapong would win the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer race, and his later public apology after the prophecy failed, have ignited a familiar national debate.
This discussion is largely centred on how spirituality is increasingly exploited for political aims rather than on the honesty of prophets or the validity of faith; as a result, this moment deserves more than ridicule or outrage; it calls for sober reflection.
When faith enters measurable public space
In many religious traditions, prophecy aims to inspire repentance, moral clarity, and spiritual guidance.
Historically, prophets have spoken truth to power, challenged injustice, and reminded societies of their ethical duties.
However, when prophecy is used to predict specific, time-sensitive, and verifiable public events, like elections or football matches, it takes on a different form.
At this stage, prophecy shifts from being just spiritual guidance to a public assertion that can be tested through observation.
Elections involve ballots, and football matches have scores; there is no uncertainty about the results.
When a prophecy does not come true, it is no longer just a theological concern; it becomes a civic matter, affecting public confidence in religious leaders and institutions.
The problem, therefore, shifts from prophecy itself to what it is being asked to do.
Pattern we refuse to remember
This is not the first time Ghana has witnessed failed prophecies about elections or sports.
Over the years, various clerics have predicted election winners, run-off outcomes, coups that never occurred, and Black Stars victories that never materialised.
Often, multiple prophets offer contradictory revelations about the same event, each claiming divine authority.
These moments usually follow a predictable cycle: prophecy, public excitement, failed outcome, apology (sometimes), and national amnesia.
History is significant.
When societies forget patterns, they risk repeating them.
The repeated prophetic warnings indicate a structural problem far greater than just an isolated incident.
This has led to the acceptance of predictive prophecy as a normal part of democratic life.
Political utility of prophecy
This is where the danger lies. When faith is used to justify political ambitions, it can diminish God to just a tool for campaigns and turn democracy into a form of spiritual gambling.
Even more concerning, it might undermine the legitimacy of election results.
If it is believed that “God has already spoken,” then any opposing outcomes may seem fraudulent, evil, or untrustworthy to believers.
No democracy can survive that logic for long.
Apology is necessary, but not sufficient
Prophet ElBernard’s public apology is meaningful and praiseworthy.
In a society where religious authority is seldom challenged, offering an apology demonstrates humility and responsibility.
Nevertheless, an apology alone cannot address the underlying problem.
The more important question is this: Why do we keep turning God into a political predictor?
Without addressing that underlying impulse, apologies become routine while prophecy loses its moral weight.
The media and the public also share responsibility.
Prophecies become popular because they draw attention.
Headlines often exaggerate them without providing context.
Social media transforms these prophecies into viral content, removing any theological nuance.
As a result, prophecy increasingly becomes entertainment rather than a matter of discernment.
A society serious about democratic maturity must learn to treat spiritual claims with curiosity balanced with scepticism, the same responsibility it applies to political analysis.
National invitation to maturity
This moment invites Ghana, both as a nation and as a people of faith, to grow.
Growth that exercises discernment while maintaining faith.
It means understanding that God is not dishonoured when humans admit limitation.
It means recognising that democracy is strongest when faith supports it ethically, not commandeers it spiritually.
The question, then, is not whether prophets should speak, but what they should speak into.
If faith is to remain a source of unity and inspiration, rather than division, then we must resist the temptation to instrumentalise the divine for earthly contests.
Doctoral student,
University of Kentucky.
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