I will talk about the demise of Ghana's President this Sunday - TB Joshua

Nigerian Prophet T.B. Joshua has vehemently denied an article currently circulating around the internet claiming to have interviewed him about the sudden demise of Ghana's former President John Evans Atta Mills.

The story, which originated from Nigeria's Abuja based Leadership Newspapers and was subsequently re-posted throughout media houses and internet news sites in Ghana and across Africa, claimed Joshua had said he did not foresee the death of Mills and was distraught at the news of his unexpected demise.  

"He was a very dear son to me and I was his spiritual godfather," the article quoted Joshua, who was reportedly close to Mills during his presidency, as saying. "His death is a great shock and blow to me personally… I was so hopeful he would recover his health completely, but it is sad and only God knows best why he should die now."

The purported interview proceeded with quoting Joshua as explaining, "I know many persons will be saying how come my fervent prayers did not save his life. All I can answer such persons is, why did God allow Stephen in the New Testament Bible to be stoned to death. Why did God not save the life of Stephen, an innocent man, as he was being stoned, dying? The answer is simply this: sometimes God allows things to happen for unknown reasons, and indeed reasons no man can explain, that is why God is Almighty Sovereign God; who indeed can question Him, who can challenge God?"

Social networks had been awash with speculation since Mill's death that Joshua would come out in public to claim he predicted the tragic incident, especially considering the proximity of their relationship and his reputation for accurate predictions. It was widely reported that after Mill's ascension to office in 2008, he visited The SCOAN and publicly acknowledged Joshua's prophetic insight in his three-round election victory. Joshua also garnered significant media attention in April following the fulfillment of his prediction relating to the death of former Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika.

Joshua came forward via his Facebook account, 'TB Joshua Ministries', followed by close to 250,000 people, to deny that the interview ever occurred. "The interview in LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPER of Thursday 26/7/2012 titled "I Did Not Foresee Atta Mills' Death - T.B. Joshua" does not represent me, T.B. Joshua, because I was not around and I never spoke with anyone," his statement read. "People say all sorts of things against me but God says 'Touch not my anointed and do him no harm'. Why should anybody write this - as if you will not die one day?"

He then further stated that, God permitting, he would talk to the public concerning Atta Mill's death this Sunday via his Christian television station Emmanuel TV, which is extremely popular and viewed daily by millions, especially within Africa.

"This is the first time I am talking to the public after the demise of our late president," Joshua said. "I will talk as God instructs me on Sunday Live service on Emmanuel TV."

He called on all those who had lifted the supposed interview from Leadership Newspapers to immediately retract the information. "Those that may have copied the false story from LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPER should remove it from their sites because this does not represent me. It is not from me."

The statement was met with anger from supporters of Joshua, directed towards Leadership Newspapers from which the purported interview originated, many perceiving it as a distasteful and dishonest attempt to gain more readers. When this reporter attempted to contact Leadership by email to address the allegations, no response was given.