The Resident Minister of the Church of Pentecost at the East Legon Worship Centre (ELWOC), Rev. Prof. Joseph Osafo Adu, has called on the state to take a keen interest in regulating the activities of what he describes as “one-man” prophets.
Speaking on ABC in the Morning, Monday, February 2nd, 2026, Rev. Prof. Joseph Osafo Adu argued that “the state must take interest and regulate the activities of ‘one-man’ prophets”, adding that unchecked prophetic pronouncements undermine both religious credibility and social stability.
His comments come in the wake of a public apology issued by Prophet Bernard El-Bernard Eshun, who admitted he was wrong after his prophecy that Kennedy Ohene Agyapong would win the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer race failed to materialise. The prophet publicly acknowledged his error and asked Ghanaians for forgiveness, sparking renewed national debate about the role of prophecies in politics.
Rev. Prof. Osafo Adu noted that incidents of failed political prophecies raise serious questions and indicates that churches have drifted from their core spiritual mandate.
“Some of these churches have lost their spiritual focus,” he said, stressing that prophetic utterances should be rooted in sound doctrine and spiritual discipline rather than public spectacle.
According to Rev. Prof Osafo Adu, Christian bodies must be proactive in self-regulating the conduct of their pastors to ensure that teachings and prophetic declarations conform to established Christian doctrines and ethical standards.
“Churches must self-regulate the activities of their pastors to ensure they conform to the Christian doctrines,” Rev. Prof. Osafo Adu stated.
