A public dispute has erupted between two prominent Ghanaian clergymen, Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah and Pastor Mensa Otabil, over the role of prophets in the country's Christian ministry. Rev Owusu Bempah, General Overseer of Glorious Word Power Ministries International, has accused Pastor Otabil of attempting to undermine the prophetic ministry in Ghana. This follows allegations that Pastor Otabil, founder of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), claimed that approximately 90 percent of prophets operating in Ghana are fraudulent.
The allegations against Pastor Otabil were made during a Sunday sermon in Accra on November 2, 2026, according to reports from ghanaweb. Rev Owusu Bempah did not mince words in his response, warning that Pastor Otabil's conduct needed to be checked. He described Pastor Otabil's actions as "fooling and misbehaving" and cautioned that if not addressed, such behavior would continue. Rev Owusu Bempah has built a public profile around prophetic declarations and has been a vocal figure in Ghana's religious and political discourse.
The dispute highlights a longstanding divide within Ghana's church landscape between charismatic, prophecy-centered ministries and more conservative, Bible-teaching denominations. The ICGC, led by Pastor Otabil, is one of Ghana's largest charismatic churches but has often been associated with a more measured theological approach. In contrast, Rev Owusu Bempah's ministry has focused on prophetic declarations and deliverance.
Rev Owusu Bempah's criticism of Pastor Otabil frames the allegations as an attack on an entire arm of Christian ministry rather than mere criticism of individual practitioners. He accused Pastor Otabil of trying to "quench the prophetic fire" in Ghana, suggesting that his remarks are part of a broader effort to discredit the prophetic ministry. The sources reviewed do not indicate when or where Pastor Otabil made the original comments about prophets.
The latest remarks mark an escalation between two clergymen who command significant followings in Ghana. However, it is not yet clear whether Pastor Otabil has responded to the allegations attributed to him. The ICGC has not issued any statement addressing Rev Owusu Bempah's claims, according to the sources reviewed.
This public spat is not the first time Rev Owusu Bempah and Pastor Otabil have been at odds. The two clergymen have represented different theological approaches within Ghana's Christian community, with Rev Owusu Bempah advocating for a more prominent role for prophecy and deliverance ministries. The current dispute has reopened old wounds between Ghana's charismatic and mainline church traditions.
The controversy has sparked renewed debate about the role of prophets in Ghanaian Christianity and the relationship between different theological approaches. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the dispute will be resolved and what implications it may have for Ghana's Christian community. Key issues, including the legitimacy of prophetic ministry and the limits of criticism within Christian discourse, are at the heart of the controversy.
Key points
- Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah accuses Pastor Mensa Otabil of trying to discredit Ghana's prophetic ministry.
- The dispute highlights a longstanding divide within Ghana's church landscape between charismatic and conservative denominations.
- The allegations have sparked renewed debate about the role of prophets in Ghanaian Christianity.
