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Attack on Dede, not healthy
• Ayew – Distraught after the penalty miss
Tonnes of harsh, bigoted comments freely decanted moments after Ghana captain Andre Dede Ayew, blew off a spot-kick presented to Ghana. It was his first penalty miss for the nation.
The verbal onslaughts were, certainly, directed at the skipper after he failed to put away the dead-ball against Uruguay during the second Group H game of the ongoing Qatar World Cup – which ends tomorrow.
The Black Stars had staggered to a 2-3 loss to Portugal in the group’s opener, but supremely recovered to upstage South Korea 3-2, giving itself a lifeline heading into the Uruguay nerve-jangler.
Ghana desperately wanted a draw against the Uruguayans to qualify to the Round of 16 stage – the latter having lost and drawn to Portugal and South Korea respectively and needed a win to pull through.
The Stars had been tipped to beat Uruguay and avenge the agonising defeat of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where Luis Suarez handballed a goal-bound ball in the last seconds of their scorching quarter-final tie, denying Ghana from becoming the first African country to qualify for Mundial’s semi-final berth.
It is the reason the final game of Group H attracted the cynosure of all eyes – Suarez making it worse by his comments at a presser ahead of the game that he had no regrets for the ‘transgressions’ he committed 12 years ago. Perhaps, he was right, as he got punished for that sin with a red-card and penalty against his side which was wasted by top-goal poacher Asamoah Gyan.
Heart-rending as the Qatar first round exit may be, there is nothing we can do about it now than put the defeat behind us and plan again. The gratuitous attack on Andre and the Stars will not change the result.
Let us stop picking on certain players – and leaving others. In their game against Poland at the Stadium 974, Argentina star Lionel Messi, missed a penalty but they went ahead to win 2-0. Thus, arguments that if Andre had scored the penalty against Uruguay, Ghana would have won the game, is a deflated one.
If anything at all, we should be working right away to ensure we avert future pitfalls so we can have successful campaigns.
Truth is that we have a multi-talented team that can take the world by storm if well harnessed and shepherded. With a very competent coach, this crop of young, inexperienced players can be turned into world beaters one day.
Having said that, the National Sports Authority (NSA), Board Chairman – Seth Panwum NSA, must be commended for leading a delegation to pay a courtesy call on Andre Ayew and his family last week.
That is the way to go; it is great to show such support to him when the captain seems down after the tournament.
Indeed, Andre’s service to Ghana since busting onto the scene for Ghana in a four-nation tournament in 2007, has been phenomenal – and little wonder, he is the nation’s most-capped players with 113 appearances.
He deserves some backing now – not condemnation for a player who captained Ghana to win the continent’s only FIFA Under-20 World Cup as far back as 2009.
By John Vigah
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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
