Protest against false prophets and spiritualists spreads to Ghana

A week after a protest in South Africa’s biggest city Johannesburg against false prophets and miracle workers, a similar protest was held in Ghana’s Brong Ahafo Region against the activities of fake spiritualists and fetish priests.

The Techiman Youth Association in one of the region’s biggest towns, Techiman, organised the protest last Sunday to express their displeasure with community leaders in curbing the activities of the money doublers.

The Chairman of the youth association Kwadwo Adjei told local media Citi FM that the fake spiritualists, mallams (local term for Muslim oracle), fetish priests and internet fraudsters have invaded the town and are duping unsuspecting victims.

“Mallams have invaded Techiman and they dupe the unsuspecting public and what is disturbing is that they collect monies from people and beat or assault them in the end,” he is quoted by Citi FM.

He explained the mode of operation of the fake spiritualists saying: “They bath you with their concoctions and ask you not to scratch your body for the money, knowing very well your body will itch after bathing the concoction. After the failure of the charm, if you go for the refund of your money, their macho men will beat you.”

Mr Adjei alleged that the fake spiritualists have close ties with the chiefs of the town who have benefited from their activities. He called on the Techiman Traditional Council and the security services to take control and protect residents.

“The act of doubling money is illegal and it’s alien and an affront to the laws of the country. I wonder why state institutions and the laws of the country are not dealing with them to save the investing public,” he added.

The number of spiritualists in Ghana has risen and many of them use both traditional and social media to advertise their services which include money doubling, healing incurable diseases, prophecies and many others.

South Africa’s concerns are with the growing number of fake pastors and prophets who commit crimes under the cover of religion. Some have fed congregants with snakes, grass and petrol for healing.

The protesters led by Martins Antonio handed their petition to the South African Human Rights Commission and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural‚ Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL) in Braamfontein.