Ghanaian traditional spiritualist Nana Kwaku Bonsam is being widely discussed following a claim attributed to him that he has 5,236 pastors, or “men of God,” under his influence.
A graphic circulating online attributes the statement to Nana Kwaku Bonsam and quotes him as saying he has given the pastors the “power to work.”
However, GhanaMedia.net has not independently verified the authenticity, date or original source of the specific 5,236 figure contained in the circulating graphic.
The claim is nevertheless consistent with previous public statements attributed to Nana Kwaku Bonsam concerning his alleged relationships with Christian ministers.
Similar claims have been made before
In a 2021 report, YEN.com.gh reported that Kwaku Bonsam claimed to have 4,932 pastors under his power, saying they came from different countries to seek spiritual powers to operate their churches.
A 2019 report by GhPage similarly quoted him as saying that more than 4,000 pastors or prophets performed miracles with powers he had provided.
Earlier reports from 2016 and 2017 carried a lower figure of more than 1,700 pastors and men of God whom Bonsam claimed to have assisted with spiritual powers.
In a 2008 interview published by Daily Guide and reproduced by MyJoyOnline, Bonsam also claimed that he had given more than 1,000 men of God powers to perform miracles.
These historical reports establish that Bonsam has repeatedly made claims about providing spiritual assistance or powers to pastors. They do not independently establish the accuracy of the latest 5,236 figure.
A controversial claim
The allegations have historically generated controversy because they challenge the distinction between traditional spiritual practices and Christian ministry.
Bonsam has previously claimed that pastors approached him for powers relating to healing, prophecy and other purported supernatural abilities. Those claims have been reported as his own statements rather than independently established facts.
The latest graphic does not identify the pastors allegedly involved, nor does it provide evidence supporting the claim that 5,236 pastors are currently under his influence.
GhanaMedia.net therefore considers the 5,236 figure an allegation attributed to Nana Kwaku Bonsam, rather than an independently verified fact.
The development is likely to renew public discussion about the relationship between traditional spirituality, Christianity and claims of supernatural power in Ghana.
GhanaMedia.net will update this report if the original interview or a credible primary source for the 5,236 figure becomes available.
