Methodist leader condemns deceptive prophecies following political forecast failures

The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Professor Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, has issued a stern rebuke against the proliferation of false prophecies within modern Christianity. His condemnation follows a series of high-profile prophetic failures related to the recent New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries.

In a strongly-worded statement on social media, Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu lamented the “tragic” and “catastrophic” extent of unreliable prophecies, which he described as a global crisis eroding the credibility of Christian ministry.

The bishop’s intervention comes in the wake of Ghana’s NPP primaries, which saw Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia elected as flagbearer for the 2028 elections. This outcome contradicted several publicly declared prophecies, leading at least one prominent local prophet to issue a public apology.

Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu, who also serves as the Baëta-Grau Professor of Pentecostalism at Trinity Theological Seminary, contextualized the local situation with an international scandal. He referenced the recent dismissal of American charismatic figure Shawn Bolz, who was exposed for allegedly mining personal information online and presenting it as divine revelation.

“It is happening in our country too!” the bishop asserted, warning ministers within his own denomination against the temptation of “prophetic vainglory.”

He framed the issue as a fundamental breach of religious ethics, directly violating the biblical commandment against taking the Lord’s name in vain. “Prophecy is when the Lord speaks to his people through human vessels,” he clarified. “Do not fake the voice of the Lord our God!”

The bishop’s remarks have ignited fresh debate within Ghana’s Christian communities regarding accountability, discernment, and the growing intersection of faith and politics. As prophetic declarations increasingly influence public discourse, observers view his statement as a critical call for humility, integrity, and a return to doctrinal foundations in prophetic practice.