‘God Cannot Be Divided Between Candidates: Nana Akomea Criticizes Rev. Owusu-Bempah

Nana Akomea, a prominent member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Deputy Chairman of the Bawumia campaign team, has issued a respectful yet firm appeal to religious leaders in the country, especially prophets, urging them to exercise caution in their statements, particularly regarding prophecies that pertain to the upcoming national elections. His comments come amid recent controversies surrounding differing prophecies about the potential outcomes of the December 7 elections, with some prophecies favoring former President John Dramani Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and others supporting Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling NPP.

Reflecting on this divide, Nana Akomea expressed his concerns about the spiritual polarization these prophecies are generating. He questioned how prophets can be split on the divine will, asking rhetorically, "How can the same God be divided between two candidates?" This, he suggests, is creating confusion and potentially undermining the credibility of religious leaders in the eyes of the public. He urged the prophets to consider the impact of their words on the political landscape, as their influence holds weight in Ghanaian society.

The controversy began during a meeting between John Mahama and the clergy, where renowned Prophet and Apostle Isaac Owusu Bempah announced that "God has given back the nation to him (Mahama)" due to Mahama’s "good heart." This prophecy sparked immediate reactions, particularly among NPP supporters who found it contradictory. They recalled past statements by Apostle Owusu Bempah, in which he had declared that God had rejected Mahama as a potential leader, even going as far as to say that if the NDC presented Mahama as their presidential candidate “1,000 times, he will lose 1,000 times.” This assertion, made during an interview on Good Evening Ghana with journalist Paul Adom-Otchere, seemed definitive and absolute, raising eyebrows now that Owusu Bempah's stance appeared to have shifted.

Nana Akomea, addressing this issue on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” show, emphasized that such conflicting messages from prophets risk diminishing public respect for religious leaders. He pointed out that the inconsistency in prophecies leads to confusion and might encourage people to question the authenticity of the prophets’ messages, thus weakening the respect traditionally accorded to them. 

Akomea expressed genuine curiosity about the change in Apostle Owusu Bempah’s message. What could have prompted such a significant shift in perspective? He suggested that this sudden change of heart might not only confuse the faithful but also reflect poorly on the prophetic institution, as followers look to these leaders for guidance and consistency. His message to the prophets was clear: consider the peace and stability of the nation first and foremost. He advised them to be patient and avoid proclamations that could inflame tensions or cast a shadow over the sanctity of the electoral process.

In closing, Akomea appealed to all religious figures to prioritize the country’s unity over partisan interests. With the elections just around the corner, he hopes that Ghanaians will remain calm and that spiritual leaders will play a constructive role, focusing on prayers and positive encouragement for a peaceful election, rather than stirring controversy with conflicting prophecies. For him, the importance of unity, respect, and stability transcends party lines, and he believes that if religious leaders approach the situation with wisdom and restraint, they can help foster an environment of peace and respect during this critical period in Ghana’s democratic journey.

watch the video below