Hot!
An expedition through Prince Kojo-Hilton’s world of art
Prince Kojo-Hilton is not new to the art industry. He has over 18 years experience as an innovative Art Director, producing dynamic visuals for both theatre and film projects.
He is an expert in graphic design, art direction and project management with his works gaining local and international recognition.
Today, The Spectator delves into his artistic background while focusing on one of his works known as the ‘Amanua’, produced in May 2020, to celebrate the hard work of health workers in Africa for their dedication to the fight against COVID-19.
Artwork
The piece of art gives a summary of the genesis and exodus of the corona virus in Africa and is described as “a historical piece that must be well secured while taking a tour around the world.”
The name AMANUA, according to the artist is of Ga origin and an acronym for “Art Movement Against Novel-coronavirus Upon Africa.”
He believes the “true duty” of an artist is to solve problems hence the decision to initiate the project as a contribution towards combating the deadly disease. Mr Hilton said he intended to auction the piece of art and donate the funds to health workers.
Elements of the colourful painting, he explained, include “a graveyard with dead creepy trees, representing the millions of lives lost or otherwise impacted by the pandemic, and the overall decimation of economies worldwide.”
‘Amanua’ depicts a nurse armed with a sword and shield as she cuts a virus particle behind her into two. With a stethoscope around her neck, a breast watch, and her name tag, ‘AMANUA’, the nurse stands on a rock with cracks on the surface.
The rock, he says, signifies the government, World Health Organisation and the many institutions working to combat the disease while the cracks refer to challenges the government and organisations face.
Among several other relatable ideas, the art again has the Adinkra Symbol, “Gye Nyame”, meaning “Except God” symbolising the gravity of the pandemic and the content or orgin of the Art piece.
Apart from the attractive concepts, the Afrocentric ‘Amanua’ masterpiece, according to the designer, represents courage and sacrifice.
Background
Prince Kojo-Hilton is a product of the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) with a major in Art Direction and Production Design (2014).
Due to his hard work, passion and creativity, he had the opportunity to understudy his uncle, Dr. Johnson Edu, at the Technical Department of the National Theatre, Accra. From this point, he took his career to another level.
He studied scenic design, props design, make-up and special effects, set design and construction, among others. He had, over the years, applied his skills on a number of projects and has gained recognition as the first artist to create “the first ever man-made Volcano in Africa” for the Guinness’ Big Eruption Concert in Accra.
He has worked on a number of films, TV commercials, TV studio sets, music videos, theatre productions and many live stage events.
Describing himself as “a hard worker with great time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines,” he says he enjoys working within organisations with opportunities for professional development and job satisfaction.
Experience
Adding to his repertoire, he has worked as a Scenic Artist with Hollywood Directors of The Matrix Trilogy (the Wachowskis) on the science fiction series ‘Sense 8’ which was shot in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2014.
As an art advocate, he has trained and mentored many young talents in Ghana, Nigeria, Gambia, Kenya, and South Africa.
In August 2021, he was sworn in as a Special Envoy by the United Nations Youth Association of Ghana (UNYA-GH) at the International Youth Day Celebration held at the Accra International Conference Centre.
In 2020, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the International Forum for Creativity and Humanity, Morocco and again received the ‘2020 Extraordinary People Award’ by La Expose Productions, USA.
He was adjudged Production Designer of the Year in 2016 at the Osagyefo Pan Africa Eminence Awards, and in 2017, he received an Honorary Award from the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana, Legon.
Recognition
He is the Pan African Art Ambassador – Pan African Republic Honorary Awards, a Lifetime achievement Award he received from The Confederation of Governance Assessment Institute since 2019.
He was nominated for Gold Coast Excellence Awards in 2019, and received also the 40 Under 40 Award for the Theatre and Arts category in 2019.
University of Yale awarded him a Citation of Inspiration in 2018. Same year, two of his best stage design works were selected and displayed at the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space in Czech Republic.
As African Section for Set Design and Costume, 2019, in Nigeria, he was celebrated as a Living Legend by the World Institute of Peace and became the recipient of the World Icon of Peace Award.
Other events and Projects initiated by Kojo-Hilton include: Supports Arts Foundation (SAF), The Arts Legendary Wall of Fame Honours, The CombArt Show, Hilton Honorary Art Awards, Pan African States University of Art (PASUA) and The Community Art Festival (TCAF), among others.
He is the Founder of Visual Art Students Empowerment Project (VASEP) and former Greater Accra Regional Chairman of Ghana Association of Visual Artists (GAVA).
By Spectator Reporter
Hot!
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
Hot!
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
