Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, has cautioned Ghanaians against dismissing genuine spiritual warnings from credible religious leaders, stressing that such prophecies can be critical to national safety and stability.
His remarks follow the August 6 military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District, which claimed the lives of eight people, including two cabinet ministers.
Speaking during a visit to the family of the late Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed, the former Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Hon. Bagbin underscored the need for discernment in dealing with prophetic declarations.
“Pastors, the Reverends – we should listen to them. It is not all of them who are looking for money. Don’t take what they say for granted. I’ve listened to the prophecies and I don’t take them lightly because that is their area.
“I can’t say somebody who is not in Parliament will know parliamentary work more than me. And so I don’t know about the spiritual world more than those who have taken it as a career. And so all these things work for good, we should not ignore them”
Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament
The Speaker’s comments come in the wake of a new directive from the Office of the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, urging religious leaders to submit all prophecies of national significance for urgent review.
On August 10, Presidential Envoy Elvis Afriyie Ankrah instructed clergy to present any prophecy or spiritual insight relating to political leaders, governance, national security, or public stability to the Presidency for assessment before public disclosure.
The directive follows a wave of viral videos on social media, in which some self-proclaimed prophets claimed to have foreseen the helicopter crash but alleged that their warnings were ignored.
Remembering the Dead
The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that the Z-9 helicopter involved in the accident went “off the radar” shortly after departing Accra at 09:12 GMT for Obuasi, where its passengers were to attend an anti-illegal mining programme.
The crash claimed the lives of Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation; Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate; and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC.
Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah also lost their lives.
The bodies of Dr. Murtala Muhammed and Alhaji Muniru were laid to rest on August 10 in accordance with Islamic rites. A state funeral for all victims is scheduled for August 15 at the Black Star Square.
Reflecting on his personal relationship with the late Alhaji Muniru, the Speaker described him as a close aide and trusted confidant during his tenure at the Ministry of Health.
“He was my administrator, and before you see me, you have to see him first. That is who I worked with for the past 12 months when I was with the Ministry of Health. Since then, he has been very, very close”
Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament
The Speaker led a high-powered parliamentary delegation – including Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei, and Majority Chief Whip Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor – to extend condolences to the bereaved family.
“In all things, give thanks to God – He knows why it happened,” Mr. Bagbin told mourners, and urged Ghanaians to remain steadfast in their faith, even in times of tragedy.
He also linked the tragedy to a broader call for environmental responsibility, recommending the book “Global Disorders” by Acheampong, which explores how humanity destroys itself by destroying nature.
“Man will always propose, and God will dispose. None of us knows when we will come into the world, and none of us knows when we will leave the world. So, we thank God because He gave us very good people, and they have served well”
Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament
The Speaker emphasised that a national culture of respect for credible prophetic voices, combined with responsible governance and environmental stewardship, could help avert similar tragedies in the future.
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