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Caution: Avoid recreational drugs for healthy life – Physician Specialist
● Dr Ken Amaniampong
Though Christmas is characterised by merrymaking, revellers, individuals and social groups have been warned against recreational drugs which have negative effect on human health.
Dr. Ken Amaniampong, a Family Physician Specialist with Jubail Specialist Hospital at Sakumono has admonished the public to refrain from drugs because their effect was very dangerous and could lead to various health complications including lung cancer.
According to the Specialist, “marijuana, an example of a recreational drug is causing more harm to the youth who are abusing it for fun or lifestyle”.
He added that, smoking of any form including shisha and e-cigarettes was detrimental to one’s health irrespective of the age because it only led to diseases that could place a toll on an individual’s life, even at a treatment stage.
Dr. Amaniampong said “Smoking only increases one’s risk of heart disease, stroke, and different types of cancer among others, and affects the fertility of the smoker and also delays conception”.
He highlighted that recreational drugs were ranged from analgesics, depressants, stimulants to hallucinogens.
Analgesics, he said, were narcotics including heroin, morphine, codeine which affected the central nervous system of the human.
Depressants, according to the Physician Specialist were drugs such as alcohol, nicotine, tranquillisers among others which slowed down the function of the central nervous system.
Hallucinogens, he stated, affected an individual’s senses and changed the way “one sees, hears, tastes, smells and feels things” and enumerated some of the drugs that caused these awful changes of one’s senses, as mescaline, ketamine, PCP among others.
Dr. Amaniampong admonished Ghanaians to have a regular check up to identify any shortcomings in their health and wellness at an early stage for treatment.
He cautioned the youth to avoid irrelevant lifestyles that would only put them at risk of contracting complications that would require huge amount of money for treatment.
“Whatever bad lifestyle you practise in the present, has an effect on your future, so eschew all forms of lifestyle that pose danger to your health”, he said.
He indicated that one could develop high blood pressure, rapid or irregular heartbeat kidney or liver damage, respiratory difficulties and cardiovascular diseases from abusing recreational drugs.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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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
