Eric Otchere I http://www.livingourbible.com I Monday 18th August 2025
Introduction
In recent times, the prophetic ministry in Ghana has found itself in the spotlight — not always for the right reasons. From public predictions about national tragedies, such as alleged impending plane crashes, to presidential candidates forecasting, the role of the prophet has become both a subject of fascination and controversy. Many in our nation now associate prophecy with sensational forecasts, celebrity-like status, and sometimes political influence. For some, the prophetic ministry is viewed as a fast track to popularity, wealth, or a platform on national television.
This trend is not unique to Ghana, but the intensity here has made it a matter of public debate. Many ordinary citizens are left wondering: What is the true purpose of a prophet? Why does God raise prophets, and what should their core work be?
A biblical perspective reminds us that in Scripture, prophets were rarely popular figures. They were God’s rapid-response messengers, called in times of crisis to deliver His word — even when it was uncomfortable to hear. Their messages often unsettled kings, confronted nations, and challenged the prevailing moral climate. They were not entertainers, political strategists, or social media influencers; they were mouthpieces of the Most High, accountable to Him alone.
In our time, where the prophetic ministry is sometimes entangled with self-promotion, public predictions, and a focus on personal gain, we must return to the core biblical mandate for prophets. Scripture reveals three primary reasons why God raises prophets — reasons that remain unchanged, timeless, and urgently relevant to Ghana today.
1. To Rebuke God’s People for Their Sins
From Genesis to Revelation, God’s prophets served as His instruments of correction. Their task was to confront sin head-on — whether it was idolatry, injustice, or moral decay. In 2 Samuel 12, when King David committed adultery and orchestrated murder, it was not a royal advisor or court official who held him accountable — it was the prophet Nathan. Without fear of the king’s wrath, Nathan declared, “You are the man!” (2 Samuel 12:7). This was a public confrontation with eternal consequences.
Why was this necessary? Because sin, left unchecked, destroys both individuals and nations. Proverbs 14:34 reminds us: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” In Ghana, where corruption, dishonesty, and moral compromise often find their way into leadership and everyday life, the voice of the prophet must serve as a corrective compass — not a political echo chamber.
Issues in today’s prophetic ministry:
Sadly, many modern prophets shy away from rebuking sin, especially when it involves influential figures. Some appear more eager to court favour with the wealthy and powerful than to speak uncomfortable truths. This selective silence erodes the credibility of the prophetic office and allows unrighteousness to flourish unchecked. In some cases, personal loyalty to political patrons or financial benefactors replaces loyalty to the word of God.
The biblical prophet had no such luxury. Isaiah risked his life rebuking kings (Isaiah 7), Elijah confronted Ahab directly (1 Kings 18), and John the Baptist publicly condemned Herod’s immoral relationship (Mark 6:18) — even though it cost him his head. True prophetic ministry is not a popularity contest; it is a sacred duty to call people back to God’s standards.
In Ghana’s current climate, this means the prophet must be willing to speak against corruption in business, immorality in entertainment, dishonesty in politics, and hypocrisy in the Church — no matter whose toes are stepped on. As Ezekiel 3:18 warns: “When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning… his blood I will require at your hand.”
Takeaway for Ghana: Our nation needs prophets who are not afraid to lose followers, airtime, or sponsorship for speaking the truth. The prophetic mantle is not for sale; it is a divine trust.
2. To Remind God’s People of His Law
The second core reason God raises prophets is to bring His people back to His word. The prophet was not just a foreteller of the future; he was a forthteller of God’s commands. This is why, in the Old Testament, prophets repeatedly called Israel to remember the Law of Moses. Malachi 4:4 says, “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.” The prophetic mission was anchored in the Scriptures, not personal imagination.
Why is this crucial? Because God’s law — His word — is the foundation for moral order, justice, and blessing. Deuteronomy 28 lays out the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience. A nation that departs from God’s standards invites judgment, no matter how religious it appears outwardly.
Issues in today’s prophetic ministry:
In Ghana, some modern prophetic utterances drift far from the word of God, leaning instead on dreams, visions, or spiritual experiences that are never tested against Scripture. This can lead to confusion, fearmongering, or even manipulation. Instead of grounding their audience in the Bible, some prophets feed them a steady diet of vague predictions, numerology, or spiritual codes that only they can “decode.” The result? Believers become dependent on the prophet instead of growing in personal faith and scriptural knowledge.
Hosea 4:6 laments, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” When prophets fail to teach or remind people of God’s word, they contribute to a spiritually shallow generation that chases “the next word” instead of standing on the Word.
In contrast, prophets like Ezra (who, though primarily a scribe, had prophetic authority) laboured to explain God’s word to the people (Nehemiah 8:8). Their goal was not to create dependence on themselves but to restore reverence for God’s commands.
Takeaway for Ghana:
Our nation’s prophets must recommit to being students and teachers of the Bible. Every prophecy should align with the unchanging word of God. Ghana does not need prophets who only predict events; we need prophets who open the Scriptures, apply them to our times, and lead people to obedience.
3. To Reveal God’s Plans to the People
The third reason God raises prophets is to reveal His plans — whether for judgment, deliverance, or restoration. Amos 3:7 declares, “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.” This role often carried both a warning and a promise.
Biblical examples abound:
- Noah was warned of the coming flood and instructed to build an ark (Genesis 6).
- Jeremiah foretold seventy years of Babylonian captivity (Jeremiah 25:11).
- Isaiah spoke of the coming Messiah centuries before His birth (Isaiah 9:6).
In each case, the revelation was not mere information; it was a call to action — repent, prepare, believe.
Issues in today’s prophetic ministry:
In Ghana, much of what is presented as “prophetic revelation” about national events is delivered in sensational or fear-inducing ways. Announcements about disasters, political outcomes, or personal tragedies are sometimes made in public without pastoral sensitivity, scriptural framing, or follow-up on how God’s people should respond. Some revelations appear to be aimed at gaining attention rather than preparing the people spiritually.
True prophetic revelation is purposeful: it points people to God’s sovereignty, calls them to repentance, and strengthens their faith in His justice and mercy. Even when judgment was coming, biblical prophets offered hope to the faithful remnant. Isaiah 40:1–2 says, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem… that her hard service has been completed.”
In our context, this means a prophet’s revelation about a coming national crisis should be accompanied by a clear call to prayer, repentance, and action. The goal is not panic but preparation; not despair but dependence on God.
Takeaway for Ghana:
When prophets reveal God’s plans, they must do so in a way that exalts Christ, not themselves. The message should guide the nation to seek God’s face, not the prophet’s favour.
Re-centering the Prophetic Ministry in Ghana
The prophetic ministry has always been a vital part of God’s dealings with His people. However, in our time, it faces the twin dangers of commercialisation and politicisation. When prophecy becomes a tool for personal enrichment, political endorsement, or public drama, it loses its biblical essence.
For Ghana to benefit from the prophetic ministry:
- We need prophets who fear God more than they fear losing influence.
- We need prophets who open the Bible more often than they open their dream journal.
- We need prophets who point us to Christ more than they point us to themselves.
Jeremiah 1:10 (NKJV) outlines the prophet’s God-given mandate:
“See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms,
To root out and to pull down,
To destroy and to throw down,
To build and to plant.”
This is not the description of a celebrity lifestyle; it is the portrait of a spiritual warrior, reformer, and nation-builder.
Conclusion — A Call to Ghana
The prophetic ministry has not ceased. God still raises men and women to speak His word in our generation. But the measure of a prophet is not how many predictions come true; it is how faithfully they align with God’s purposes.
The threefold mission remains:
- Rebuke sin without fear or favour.
- Remind people of God’s word without compromise.
- Reveal God’s plans with clarity, compassion, and Christ-centred hope.
As a nation, we must pray for our prophets — that they will walk in integrity, humility, and bold obedience. We must also pray for ourselves, that we will test every prophecy by the Scriptures (1 Thessalonians 5:20–21) and respond with repentance and faith.
The future of Ghana will not be shaped by sensational predictions but by whether we hear, believe, and obey the word of the Lord. May God grant us prophets like Samuel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah — and may He give us ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church and the nation.
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Eric Otchere is committed to declaring the whole counsel of God through systematic preaching and writing. Connect via otchereeric@gmail.com.
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