Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah Calls for Social Media Clean-Up Over Prophetic Messages
The wave of prophetic claims sweeping Ghana’s social media space has prompted calls for urgent government intervention. Former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, says the Ministry of Communications must lead efforts to “sanitise” the digital environment before it fuels further public anxiety.
His warning comes in the wake of the August 6 military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, which claimed eight high-profile lives, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, and NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong.
Since the tragedy, several prophets have gone online claiming to have foreseen the event. Dr. Boakye-Danquah argues that such public declarations, often made without verification, erode public trust and create needless panic.
“The channels have been made clear for everyone,” he told Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily. “Many of these social media prophecies cause fear and panic. I urge the Minister for Communications to take a hard look at the situation and act.”
His solution: a formal communiqué from the Ministry reinforcing the Office of the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations’ directive, which requires all religious leaders to submit prophecies of national significance to the Presidency before public release.
The discussion adds to national mourning rituals already underway. On Sunday, August 10, Ghanaians gathered to honour Dr. Murtala Muhammed and Muniru Mohammed. A state funeral for all victims is set for Friday, August 15, at Black Star Square in Accra.
