By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
A chilling chorus of prophecies about a plane crash in Ghana has resurfaced, casting a long shadow over a tragic military helicopter crash that killed eight people, including two government ministers. This incident has reignited a national conversation about the role of prophecies in a modern, democratic society. The renewed focus on spiritual warnings highlights a deeply personal human angle to this national tragedy, which many ordinary Ghanaians are now interpreting through the lens of faith.
A National Tragedy
On August 6, 2025, a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9 helicopter crashed in a dense forest near the town of Obuasi, specifically in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti region. The crash claimed the lives of all eight people on board, including Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
The officials were on their way to Obuasi to attend a high-level event focused on tackling illegal mining, a significant environmental and economic issue in Ghana. President John Mahama had originally been scheduled to attend but delegated the ministers to represent him due to a concurrent engagement. The other victims were Alhaji Muniru Muhammad, a senior national security advisor and former Minister of Agriculture; Samuel Sarpong, the vice-chair of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC); former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and the three crew members: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
This tragedy, one of the country’s worst aviation disasters in recent history, was declared a “national tragedy” by the government. The victims were so severely burned that DNA analysis was required for identification, with remains flown to South Africa for the procedure. President John Mahama declared three days of national mourning.
In a heartfelt address to the nation, President Mahama stated, “This tragedy represents a deep personal loss to me. I shared close bonds with many of these individuals who died. Our nation is grieving… Your loss is our loss—a loss of dedicated public servants, intellectuals, and individuals who relentlessly worked for a better Ghana.”
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference also expressed its shock, saying, “we ask all Ghanaians to pray for them” while noting their “shock to lose such brilliant minds all at once.”
The wreckage was found in a remote, heavily forested mountainside, which made the immediate search-and-rescue efforts difficult. Eyewitnesses, including a farmer who was working on his land nearby, recounted hearing a “loud bang” and seeing the helicopter flying unusually low just moments before the crash. “The helicopter had hit a tree, which fell and exploded. We couldn’t recognize anyone because of the fire,” one eyewitness recounted, painting a vivid picture of the disaster’s immediate aftermath.
A Chorus of Prophecies
The incident quickly became intertwined with a resurfaced video of a prophecy by Ghanaian preacher Samuel Henry, also known as Prophet Roja. In the video, Roja claimed he had a vision of a domestic plane crash on July 29, 2025, on a flight from Accra to Kumasi. While his prophecy was for a different date and type of aircraft, and he described it as “conditional” upon prayer, many citizens have drawn a direct connection. They see the prophecy as a warning that was not heeded, sparking conversations about fate versus free will and the responsibility of religious leaders. The fact that the prophecy was “conditional” is a significant point of debate for believers, suggesting that the tragedy could have been averted. This belief provides a powerful but painful narrative for those seeking meaning in a senseless loss: the crash wasn’t just a random accident; it was a consequence of a spiritual failing, a warning ignored.
The resurfacing of Roja’s video was not an isolated incident. A chorus of similar prophecies emerged from other well-known prophets and social media users, amplifying the belief that the crash was a foreseen event.
Nigel Gaisie’s “Plane Crash” Prophecy
On July 13, Prophet Nigel Gaisie delivered a prophecy that there would be a “plane crash” in Ghana, specifically mentioning it would be a smaller, domestic aircraft. Followers of Gaisie are now pointing to this as a clear fulfillment of his vision, arguing that the divine warning was given but not taken seriously by the nation.
In a post on social media, Gaisie wrote, “Though our hearts are heavy, this is a clear reminder that God is still speaking, and He rules in the affairs of men. Let us listen, let us be vigilant, and let us pray.”
Eric Boahen’s Aviation Disaster
Just a few weeks later on August 3, Prophet Eric Boahen, known as Uche, also made a similar pronouncement, warning of an impending aviation disaster. The timing of his message, so close to the actual crash, has been seen as a particularly chilling coincidence by many.
Prophet Fire Ogya’s Personal Warning
In a more personal and touching prophecy, a video from April 11 by Prophet “Fire Ogya” gained attention after the crash. In the video, he was seen delivering a prophecy to a soldier, warning him to reject an upcoming flying assignment to avoid a disaster. After the helicopter crash, a picture of the same soldier mourning his colleague, Sergeant Ernest Addo, one of the deceased crew members, went viral. It is important to note that the prophecy was not directed to the soldier who died, but to a different soldier in the church who was reportedly a friend and colleague of Sergeant Addo.
Many now believe the soldier was saved by the prophecy, making the story a powerful testament to the belief in divine intervention. This incredible tale of survival and loss puts a human face on the abstract debate about prophecy. It raises the question of personal responsibility, and the ethical dilemma of a soldier choosing between a divine warning and a military command. For this soldier, a spiritual warning became a real-world decision with life-or-death consequences, a choice that separates him from the tragic fate of his fallen colleague.
Prophet Roja’s subsequent announcement that he had a message for the current Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has fueled a debate among Ghanaians about how such a personal and sensitive prophecy should be delivered, whether publicly or privately.
The Legal Framework for Prophecies
Ghana’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and speech. However, this freedom is not absolute. The Ghana Police Service has repeatedly warned religious leaders about prophecies that cause fear and alarm. Under the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), a person who publishes a statement, rumor, or report likely to cause fear and public disturbance, knowing or having reason to believe it is false, commits a misdemeanor punishable by up to five years in prison.
In a recent statement, the police reminded citizens that “it is a crime for a person to publish or reproduce a statement, rumour or report which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the public peace.”
The Ghana Police Service has even designated December 27 as “Prophecy Communication Compliance Day” to remind religious leaders of their legal obligations, a move which has been both praised for bringing sanity to public discourse and criticized for attempting to stifle free speech. The law aims to strike a crucial balance between religious expression and public order, a tension that is particularly visible after a disaster like this crash.
Real vs.Fake Prophecies
The rising number of prophecies and their ambiguous nature has led to a major debate in Ghana: are these divine warnings or just educated guesses? Skeptics argue that many so-called prophecies are intentionally vague, covering broad topics like “accidents” or “disasters” that are likely to occur eventually. The fact that a prophecy about a plane crash is linked to a helicopter crash, for example, is seen as a sign of this vagueness. For this group, these are not genuine prophecies but rather a form of showmanship designed to generate fame and followers. They see the prophets as preying on public anxiety, turning grief into a performance.
One commentator criticized this trend, writing, “When did we become so desperate to be seen that we use death to market ourselves? If Jesus were here in the flesh, He wouldn’t be on Facebook Live proving that He predicted the crash.”
On the other hand, believers assert that prophecies are often symbolic and their details are not always meant to be taken literally. For them, a prophetic message about a “plane crash” could be a spiritual warning for any form of aviation disaster. The belief in genuine prophecies is a core part of their faith, and they feel it is a divine gift that should not be discredited by skeptics. This fundamental disagreement lies at the heart of Ghana’s national conversation about the role of prophecy in public life.
Perspectives on Prophecy
The role of prophecies in Ghana is a subject of both deep faith and considerable skepticism. The country has a history of prophets making predictions that are widely discussed. For example, a well-known prophet, Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah, prophesied the death of a president in 2013, which sparked significant public debate and a police investigation. While the prophecy did not come to pass, it illustrated the societal impact of such declarations.
In contrast, some prophecies, such as a prediction of the 2020 election outcome by Prophet Emmanuel Badu Kobi, have reportedly come to pass, bolstering the belief of followers. This mixed track record of successes and failures adds another layer of complexity to the national discourse.
Ordinary Ghanaians are deeply divided. Some believe prophets are genuine messengers of God and that these warnings should be taken seriously. They see the helicopter crash as a tragic consequence of ignoring a divine message, a view that provides spiritual meaning in the face of random tragedy. This is not just an abstract belief; it’s a way for people to cope with the profound unfairness of the crash, to find a sense of order in a chaotic and painful event. As one Ghanaian citizen lamented, “It’s a pity and tragic loss to the nation…I couldn’t continue eating my food after receiving this tragic news.”
Others, however, are skeptical of modern prophets, accusing them of using “doom prophecies” to gain fame and money. This group believes the focus should be on the government’s response to the disaster and any potential mechanical failures, not on unverifiable spiritual claims. They argue that prophets should be held accountable for any fear or panic their prophecies cause. For them, the prophets’ pronouncements are a distraction from the urgent questions of accountability and safety.
Government’s Role
The government of Ghana faces a delicate balancing act. While the police have taken a hardline stance against “fear and panic” prophecies, they must be careful not to infringe on constitutional rights to religious freedom. This is where the police’s “Prophecy Communication Compliance Day” comes in, serving as a compromise to educate and warn without imposing an outright ban. This approach is in line with the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which protects freedom of religion and expression, but also allows for limitations necessary for public order and the protection of others’ rights.
A Global Divide
The legal and cultural landscape in Ghana, where prophecy is a significant part of public life, stands in stark contrast to some countries, including the United States and Canada. While Ghana’s government actively seeks to balance religious expression with public order, the U.S. and Canada offer more expansive protections for speech under the First Amendment and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, respectively, making it extremely difficult to prosecute a prophet for a ‘doom prophecy’ alone. This difference highlights Ghana’s unique position, where a deep spiritual tradition meets a modern legal framework, forcing the government to navigate a complex path between respecting faith and ensuring public safety.
