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‘Educate children on sexual and reproductive health’
Ms Kpan (second from right) with other speakers at the meeting
The officer in charge of girl-child education at the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Upper West Region, Ms. Janet Kpan, has appealed to parents to provide sexual and reproductive health education (SRHE) to their children to prevent them from seeking the knowledge from their friends and peers.
Many parents, she said, had left the SRHE to only health workers and other stakeholders, including unqualified individuals such as their children’s peers, who mostly shared very unwholesome information with their colleagues.
She could not fathom why parents found it difficult to discuss reproductive health issues with their wards and shied away from mentioning the names of private parts and certain basic issues such as menstruation in front of their wards.
Ms. Kpan said this at Wa during a stakeholders’ meeting on sexual and reproductive health organised by youth advocacy groups on “Informed Choices for Change” (IC4C) in the Upper West Region at the behest of Norsaac, a Tamale based non-governmental organisation.
“Parents gave birth to the child; what education are they giving them on their sexual health? Most parents find it very difficult to give such education to their wards, but the child needs to know that when she begins to grow breasts, it is a sign of maturity, which will be followed by menstruation, at which point sleeping with a man could make her pregnant,” she said.
He indicated that boys also needed to know that early sex could
make them premature fathers and also cause them to acquire sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STD/Is).
“Most of our children in school are sexually active, and we must come to terms with that fact so that we can prevent them from indulging in early sex with its implications,” she said.
Ms. Kpan explained that to help protect the girls, the GES was working with health professionals who had been trained in that regard to create adolescent corners in some of the senior high schools to provide SRHE services to the students.
“Sex education in schools is helping to enlighten the young ones on how to abstain from sex if they want to avoid STD/Is and how to use condoms if they cannot abstain, but GES preaches abstinence to avoid pregnancy and other issues,” she said.
She indicated that educating adolescents on reproductive health and socio-cultural responses would enable them to understand their biological makeup as well as that of the opposite sex, and this, according to her, would help them develop themselves and avoid questionable bahaviours.
“Adolescent reproductive health issues are multifaceted and necessitate collaboration of various stakeholders in health, education, social welfare, media, religion, as well as women’s and children’s groups, among others,” she explained.
This, she said, would enable the stakeholders to achieve improved responsible sexual and health behaviour among adolescents and also offer the young ones the opportunity to learn more about transitioning from childhood to adulthood.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Wa
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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
