News
Ransford Antwi, set to upset the apple-cart in Sunyani East
Mr Antwi
The race for the Sunyani East Constituency parliamentary seat has become keener and hotter following the decision by Mr Ransford Antwi, an Independent Candidate to join the race for the December general election.
Mr Antwi, a Sunyani based businessman and philanthropist, has pledged to challenge the longstanding dominance of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate in the forthcoming general election.
It has traditionally been a stronghold of the NPP since 1996, however, Mr Antwi seem undeterred by NPP’s strength, vowing to upset the apple-cart.
His reason for that belief is simple – the NPP and their candidate have failed to meet the developmental needs of the people.
This, he believes is buttressed by the large army of the youth and some influential figures within the constituency and abroad throwing their weight behind his candidacy.
Mr Antwi in handshake with former president kuffour
Mr Antwi says his candidacy provides hope and progress for the community.
And it appears his campaign is going on smoothly with a section of the youth, especially the first time voters in the constituency have bought into his ideas.
In separate conversations with a number of them at a campaign activity, they made it clear to The Spectator in an interview that they were relishing a change because it appears they have been taken for granted for a long time.
Reputation
Mr Antwi with former president JJ Rawlings
Mr Antwi is a royal from Sunyani with a strong reputation for honesty and integrity. His connection with the youth and readiness to help in various community activities have earned him significant support from the electorate.
He remains very confident in winning the seat in December following a recent survey from Infoanalytic which identified him as the favoured candidate among the others.
“My decision to contest for the Sunyani East parliamentary seat is to reverse the downwards spiral of developmental needs in the constituency.
My primary focus would be on development and job creation and equip a significant number of the youth with skills to enhance their employability if am elected” he stated.
“When I declared my intention to contest, some people thought that I was just joking and that I would collect money from other contestants and abandon my dream, but I want to assure you that I am in it for the long haul.
Mr Antwi said he boast of a ‘solid’ team on the ground working hard to maintain the momentum and leave nothing to chance.
He expressed concern that the Sunyani East constituency and the broader Sunyani area have diminished in stature due to the absence of substantial developmental initiatives.
The deteriorating condition of Sunyani’s roads characterised by potholes, the neglected regional library and absence of a sports stadium for the constituency would be my priority.
“The youth needs someone to provide them with leadership, offer them employable skills, hence the plan to establish a youth development centre where majority of them would be trained.
There would also be a dedicated office to receive the people and hold regular Town Hall meetings to share ideas from the people to help push forward to constituency’s development agenda.
In all of these, financial support remain a biggest challenge faced by his campaign team because everybody wants to wear his T-shirts and other paraphernalia.
“This comes as a huge cost,” he added.
Challenges
Coming into a contest like this also has a few challenges which Mr Antwi is trying very hard to deal with.
“Some of the people think that I am a rich person because I am a businessman. Others also think that once I am contesting for the election, I have a lot of money to spend and they must come for their share.
But that, according to him, was certainly not the case.
“I’m working within my means. I have some little donations I received from some people who believe in this course to pull through.
Business
Mr Antwi is the owner of Sun-city radio, one of the most popular radio stations in the region. He also owns a fleet of businesses.
Business aside, Mr Antwi is passionate about doing philanthropic work. Through his Sun-city outreach team, he has been able to liaise with some medical doctors to organised health screening for the aged to deal with health complications such as hernia, glaucoma and general health issues in the constituency and beyond.
As a football enthusiast and highly connected figure in football circles, the Sunyani East constituency parliamentary aspirant said he used his influence to secure kit sponsorship for the senior national team in the past.
He was part of a team that hired the services of Ratomir Djokovic from Serbia who supervised Ghana’s qualification to its first World Cup in Germany in 2006.
He is a staunch supporter of BA United, Asante Kotoko and Manchester United of England.
Education
Mr Antwi completed the St Patrick’s Middle School in 1987 and continued to Twene Amanfo Senior Technical High/Sunyani Senior High for his A Level Certificate and completed in 1993.
He had his National Service with the Bono Regional Hospital before proceeding to the Institute of Management Studies in Kumasi where he obtained a Diploma in Business Management.
He later worked with MTN Ghana before venturing into private business.
Family
He is the first born of children to the late Stephen Kwame Antwi and Madam Helena Dankwa.
Mr Antwi and his family at Manchester United stadium UK
Mr Antwi is married to Sufura Mohammed Suraj with whom they are blessed with four beautiful children – Emily Dankwa Antwi, Denise Antwi, Ransford Kofi Antwi and Zara Afia Kuruwaa Antwi.
His favourite meal is fufu with groundnut soup.
Mr & Mrs Antwi
Advice
He advised the youth to stay focused as they work towards realising their dreams.
According to him, the future of this country rests in the arm of the youth so it was important for any government to formulate policies that would ensure their development.
Mr Antwi also encouraged the youth to shun acts that would plunge their various communities into chaos, especially with elections approaching.
By Daniel Dzirasah, Sunyani
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
News
Brigadier General Michael Opoku not under arrest – GAF confirms
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has denied reports claiming that Brigadier General Michael Opoku has been arrested by security operatives for possessing ammunition.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, and signed by Captain V.A. Arhin, Acting Director General of Public Relations, GAF said enquiries from various security agencies and national investigation authorities had not confirmed the alleged arrest.
The statement explained that Brigadier General Michael Opoku remains an active member of the Ghana Armed Forces and is not under arrest for any crime.
GAF further assured the public that any military officer found to have committed a crime would face the same legal procedures as any other citizen.
It added that the report of his arrest was false and should be ignored, urging the public to desist from spreading misinformation and disinformation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
