To many who have only read about him, he is Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah, Doctor of Philosophy in Theology from the University of Birmingham, first Rector of Pentecost University and its former Chancellor, former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, former president of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), president of Bible Society of Ghana and author of many seminal publications.

Those who have encountered him at close quarters, know him as a gospel music composer. Dozens of his songs, available on CD, are already part of the worship experience of the Christian community in Ghana.

Very few, however, know that he is a prophet; he does not find it necessary to let anyone know.

The Church of Pentecost in Ghana is the international headquarters of 21,802 local assemblies in 105 nations of the world headed by some 2,492 Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists and Senior Pastors. The Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, a Ghanaian with office and residence in Ghana, is General Overseer of this assemblage.

Within each Pentecost ‘Area’ (often as big as the whole of Tema) are numerous assemblies, and in each assembly are powerful prophets. The only difference is that the Church of Pentecost prophet does not court personal publicity.

And, O, another thing. In a few months, latest by April this year, a reputable UK publishing house will release Apostle Opoku Onyina’s latest book, ‘Prophets and Prophecies’. The man is capable of teaching a school of prophets. Besides, if Opoku Onyina desperately needs to hear a prophecy about himself, he has more than 1,000 prophets within Pentecost who are a phone call away.

That is why I was surprised by the “disclosure” that he called Prophet Owusu Bempah, founder and leader of Glorious Word Power Ministry International to his house for “prophetic declarations” about himself.

From Ghanaweb, I read that Owusu Bempah made the “disclosure” in his reaction to IGP’s ban on the publication of death prophecies. Owusu Bempah is angry that the IGP did not consult men of God, like himself, for “satisfactory briefing on prophetic ministry”.

Yours Truly is convinced that the IGP does not need to consult anybody to come out with such bans. All he needs is the Bible. Besides, he did not speak in a vacuum. Death prophecies, unnecessary as they are, have caused no small fear and panic in Ghana. Worse, none of the prophecies came to pass. Mid last year, a Ghanaian prophet declared in an open church that England would beat Italy in the Euro final. He said God told him so. England lost.

I am happy that the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) has come out to deny the claims by Owusu Bempah about Apostle Opoku Onyinah. One of those who wrote the GPPC press statement was Rev Anyani Buadum, the very pastor whom Bempah cites as the one “I have respect for“. Anyani Buadum was present at the meeting between the two.  

The meeting, held at the residence of Opoku Onyinah, took place in 2016 at the instance of the GPCC which was getting worried by Bempah’s media utterances at the time concerning some Bishops and his prophecies of the death of some notable personalities.

According to the Council, it delegated its then-president, Opoku Onyinah, and Anyani Boadum to meet with Owusu Bempah.

Last Monday, the GPCC, relying on the testimony of the only witness, Anyani Buadum, declared that in the meeting, “Apostle Onyina sought to understand the prophetic ministry of Prophet Owusu Bempah and how he began his ministry, which he (Bempah) explained”.

It said, “Apostle Onyina, after listening to Owusu Bempah, advised him on how men of God should communicate what God gives or reveals to them in public, being sensitive to the sensibilities of those they prophesy to.”

The GPCC concluded: “At no point in time during the meeting did Apostle Onyina seek any prophetic direction from prophet Owusu Bempah.”

Who is telling the truth? Who is lying? I choose to believe the GPCC story. For one, few people going to seek a prophecy about themselves will go with a witness – unless they are comrades in crime.

To disagree with the respected cleric about the mode of publication of a prophecy is Owusu Bempah’s right, but to call Opoku Onyina a “hypocrite” is a low blow struck in desperation.

Why have I written this article? Simply this. I believe that every once in a long while, there come moments when a nation must decide to act to shield the reputation of citizens who, by their track record in integrity and exceptional public conduct, stand out as leaders, inspiring generations to look up.

We do this especially to people who have attained unquestioned renown; their track record over time is an open book. Why is England, once the centre of Christianity, now almost anti-Christian? A time came when fakes appeared on the scene and gave Jesus a bad name.