September 30, 2026
The Superintendent Minister of the Methodist Church of Ghana and immediate Past Chairman of the Local Council of Churches, Dormaa Ahenkro, Very Rev. Nicholas Afrifa, has attributed the growing disengagement of young people from the church to factors including fake prophecies, excessive financial demands and practices that undermine their trust in religious institutions.
According to him, some young people are becoming increasingly skeptical about the church because of prophecies and spiritual claims they consider questionable, while persistent demands for money and financial contributions also create a perception that the church is more interested in wealth than addressing their spiritual and social needs. He noted that such developments could weaken the relationship between the younger generation and the church if not addressed.
Very Rev. Afrifa therefore called on church leaders to reassess their approach to ministry and create an environment where young people feel welcomed, valued and listened to. He stressed the need for greater transparency, responsible preaching and practical programmes that respond to the challenges facing the youth, saying the church must work to restore confidence and make its message relevant to the realities of the younger generation.
Very Rev. Nicholas Afrifa, explained that some self-acclaimed prophets allegedly obtain information from church members through private conversations and later present the same information as divine revelations during church services.
According to Very Rev. Afrifa, such practices can mislead congregants and create a false impression of supernatural knowledge, ultimately undermining public confidence in the church and driving some young people away.
Very Rev. Afrifa cautioned that those who engage in such practices should be mindful of the consequences of misleading people in the name of God. He warned that the misuse of prophecy and deception for religious purposes could attract massive punishment on Judgment Day, urging church leaders and ministers to uphold truth, integrity and the genuine teaching of the word of God.