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Alban Bagbin installed Chief in Suma
Speaker Bagbin(third left) on his way to the installation
The Suma Traditional Council (STC) at Suma in the Bono Region on Saturday installed the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin as a chief with the stool name Nana Adosorkorhene I.
The Speaker’s installation was to recognise his show of strength against western powers in the promotion of LGBTQ+ activities in the country.
It would be recalled that in July this year the Suma Traditional Council also awarded the Highest Order of the Suma State Adinkra award to Mr Bagbin for his advocacy on the anti- LGBTQ+ bill.
The colourful coronation was preceded by initiation rites performed behind closed doors before the coronation at the forecourt of the Suma Palace.
Mr Bagbin arrived at the Palace adorned in a beautiful smock and accompanied by his wife, Minority Caucus in Parliament, staff of the Parliamentary service board and other dignitaries.
Also in attendance were a delegation from the clergy made up of members of the Pentecostal Council, local council of churches led by the Bishop of Sunyani Diocese, Mathew Kwasi Gyamfi.
The occasion was to climax a week-long crusade organised by the STC for God’s blessings and protection on the Suma State under the theme “Who the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
The Omanhene of the area, His Royal Majesty Odeneho Dr Affram Brempong III said Ghana’s culture was under threat and all effort must be made to preserve the culture, values and traditions of the Ghanaian society against any abominable indoctrination.
He said the Parliament of Ghana must pass the human and sexual rights and family values Bill 2021 into law to safeguard the moral fabric of the Ghanaian society.
The paramount chief explained that the Adosorkohene title given to Mr Bagbin means a tower of strength derived from the Suna deity which protected their ancestors against their enemies during wars and that people associate with Mr Bagbin of his resolve to ensure that Parliament pass the bill into law.
The Speaker of Parliament on his part expressed his excitement and delight for the honour bestowed on him by the chiefs and people of Suma.
His coronation, he said, was not for him alone but for the institutions of Parliament and Ghana as a whole.
He assured that Parliament will do the right thing to ensure that the LGBTQ+ bill was passed into law, adding that the cost of LGBTQ+ activities on the health system of the country cannot be borne by the state.
Mr Bagbin explained that countries promoting homosexuality were facing the brunt of it, stressing that Ghana will not be intimidated to tolerate such a bad culture.
He said his recent call for a change in the governance structure of the country to allow chiefs, religious bodies and the media was aimed at strengthening the democratic culture of the country.
He commended the chiefs and people of Suma for preserving their rich culture which he said had stood the test of time and called for peace and unity among traditional authorities in the country.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Suma Ahenkro
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Is the “Rev” title biblical?
In many Ghanaian churches, pastors are often introduced as “Reverend” or simply “Rev.”
The title is seen as a mark of respect, yet its biblical basis continues to stir debate.
While some Christians argue that it is a harmless way to honour church leaders, others insist it is unbiblical and should not be used at all.
Those who question the title usually point to the Bible itself. Nowhere in Scripture did Jesus or the apostles use “Reverend” for themselves or for one another.
Instead, they addressed each other as “brother” or “servant.” In Matthew 23, Jesus even warned his followers not to seek titles such as “rabbi” or “father,” teaching that all believers are equal under one God.
Critics also note that Psalm 111:9 describes God’s name alone as “holy and reverend” in the King James Bible.
To them, this means the word should be reserved for God, not for human beings. Others go further, citing Job 32, which cautions against giving flattering titles to men.
For such voices, the modern use of “Reverend” risks elevating pastors beyond what the Bible prescribes.
On the other hand, defenders of the title argue that it is not meant to replace God’s reverence but simply to acknowledge a minister’s role.
In many churches, “Reverend” is given to ordained ministers who have undergone training, much like the way a doctor is addressed as “Dr.”
The Bible itself, they point out, encourages believers to honour their leaders, with 1 Timothy 5:17 stating that elders who direct the affairs of the church well are “worthy of double honour.”
In this sense, the title is seen as a formal courtesy rather than a theological statement.
Supporters remind critics that Christianity does not operate in a vacuum but within cultural settings.
In Ghanaian society, respect for elders and authority is central to social order. Just as chiefs are addressed with titles such as “Nana” or “Togbe,” many Christians believe it is fitting to extend a similar courtesy to church leaders.
In their view, calling a pastor “Reverend” reflects Ghanaian values of honour and respect, and does not amount to worshipping a human being.
Yet the debate is far from settled. Some argue that the title has been abused, with individuals presenting themselves as “Reverend” without any proper training or accountability.
Calls have even been made for the regulation of church titles to prevent confusion and protect the credibility of ministry. Others, however, see no harm in its continued use, so long as it is not taken beyond what Scripture allows.
At the heart of the matter lies a bigger question: should Christians stick strictly to biblical language when addressing their leaders, or is it acceptable to adapt titles as society evolves?
The conversation is not just theological but cultural, touching on how Ghana balances respect for tradition with the authority of Scripture.
The debate over the “Rev” title is therefore not one with easy answers. What is clear, however, is that it forces us to reflect on how we show honour, how we interpret the Bible, and how faith interacts with our cultural practices.
As the discussion continues in church pews and on social platforms, we ask you: should pastors and ministers be called “Reverend,” or should Christians abandon the title altogether?
By: Jacob Aggrey
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Police confirm arrest of two suspects in Asankrangwa murder case
The Western Central Regional Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two men in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 20-year-old man at the Asankrangwa Education Area on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
In a statement signed by the Head of the Public Affairs Unit, ASP Beatrice Turkson, the police said preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased was chased and stabbed multiple times by a group of people.
The incident is believed to have stemmed from a misunderstanding between the deceased and one of the suspects, identified as 36-year-old Kwasi Opong.
According to the police, swift action led to the arrest of Opong and another suspect, 23-year-old William Francis Osei. Both are currently in custody assisting with investigations, while efforts are underway to apprehend another suspect who is still on the run.
The police noted that the body of the deceased has been deposited at the Asankrangwa Catholic Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.
“The Command assures the public that all persons connected to this heinous crime will be brought to justice,” the statement said.
The police appealed to the public to provide any information that could assist in the ongoing investigations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
