Time For Media To Blackout Bloodthirsty Charlatans

Many of us are outraged and justifiably so at the so-called prophets (more appropriately charlatans) who have become callously notorious for their bloodthirsty death wishes (exactly what it is, not prophecy).

It is not in doubt that these charlatans would be out of business if we defeat their main strategy, which is creating and exploiting fear and ignorance. They will rather their flock do not ponder deeply over 2 Timothy 1:7 which says “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” and the ever emphatic Hosea 4:6 – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”

The crux of my humble take, however, is to urge for a total media blackout on all doomsday pronouncements and activities of these false prophets who are undoubtedly worshippers of Balaam.

Respectfully, it is my considered view that the Ghanaian media has become an unwitting accomplice in enhancing the modus operandi of these charlatans.

It is the media which gives vent to the vampire hallucinations of these crooks in cassock by jumping over themselves to provide news coverage.

What the news coverage does is to provide free publicity and priceless marketing opportunity to these bloodthirsty vampires and thereby increasing their following and profitability.

As we have realized, thanks to the free and unfettered media coverage, the quacks are now seeking to undo each other in who can make the most shocking death wish. In the process, all prominent Ghanaians are fair game be they politicians, entertainers, entrepreneurs, athletes etc.

The media, some of whom thrive on sensationalism have thus become a party to this embarrassing conspiracy to create a disastrous culture of fear and ignorance which only profits a few opportunistic bloodsuckers abusing the name of God even as larger society suffers from far-reaching consequences.

We all including the media cannot claim to be unaware of Christ’s eschatological caution to us in Matthew 24:11 – “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Christ added in verse 24: “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

We must earnestly bear in mind that the Bible has imposed a duty on all of us including the media to carry out “due diligence” by testing the spirits. I John 4:1 says: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Clearly, this Biblical injunction to “test the spirits” should be seen by our friends in the media whom I must concede have a difficult job as a call on them to exercise their editorial discretion by blacking out these fakes and their abominable hallucinations after “testing the spirits” with the word of God. It’s instructive to recall the test in Matthew 7:15-20.

Let us all – media and citizens alike be wary not to conduct ourselves in a manner that will make us earn a share in the scary damnation which the Bible has proclaimed in several verses as a punishment reserved for these Charlatans. See 2 Peter 2:1-3: “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed, these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.”

May the damnation upon these false prophets as foretold by the Lord make the family and loved ones of Former President Mahama, Vice President Bawumia, the Chief Imam, the Mahama sons, and all other victims take heart. Vengeance is truly the Lords. Let us rather pray that these false prophets may repent in time before their day of judgement.

It is my anticipation therefore that the National Media Commission and the various associations within the Ghanaian media fraternity will give this proposal to blackout nation wrecking charlatans serious consideration.

Already, we are beginning to see the consequences of this canker when some angry Muslim youth began destroying targeted billboards. But for the timely intervention of the revered Chief Imam, the situation may by now have spiralled out of control.

This is the time to shun and isolate. It’s a remedy that has worked in other jurisdictions and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t work here.

As I appeal to the media for a blackout, it is imperative that our leaders show good example. President Obama confronted by similar circumstances, distanced himself from his pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright for the latter’s offensive and divisive sermons. Indeed, President Obama publicly condemned Rev. Wright and subsequently resigned his membership from Rev. Wright’s Trinity United Church of Christ.

It would be most inappropriate for President Akufo-Addo to continue hobnobbing and showing public affection for the beleaguered Owusu Bempah as he has done over the years. That said, the choice is entirely Akufo-Addo’s to make. In this defining moment, will he show high moral leadership as Obama did or will he abdicate and keep mute for history to deny him a special place with President Obama?

So, to our friends in the media, the ball is now squarely in your court.

I wish you all the very best of the season and shall we all be blessed by the declaration of Psalm 118:17 – “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.”

Columnist: Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa