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Media fraternity has lost a gem – GJA President pays tribute to Castro Zangina-Tong
Mr Albert Dwumfour signing the book of Condolence
The President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour on Wednesday signed a book of condolence opened for the late News Editor of The Spectator newspaper.
Mr Dwumfuor who was accompanied by his Executive Secretary, Mr Michael Petit Mawugbe, used the occasion to commiserate with members of staff of the New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of The Spectator and The Ghanaian Times newspapers.
Mr Castro Zangina-Tong’s sudden demise occurred on August 1, 2023 at his residence.
His funeral is scheduled for today, September 9 at his residence at Russia-Commanco, near J&J Washing Bay in Accra.
The GJA President, described the late Castro as a gem who would be missed by the entire media fraternity.
“We all know how committed and dedicated our brother was to his duty. His level of professionalism would be missed.
“He was a very jovial person but does not joke with his work. He was also a no-nonsense person who would always make his point when someone steps on his toes,” he added.
The inky fraternity, he said, would always remember his commitment and seriousness towards work.
“He sets high professional standards he never joked with. We are saddened by his demise and must stress the fact that some national executives of the GJA shared fond memories of him,” he added.
He urged journalists to be conscious of their health especially as the 2024 general elections approaches.
“God will console and strengthen all of us in this difficult moment and we pray that our brother would have a peaceful rest,” he said.
Mr. Dwumfour promised to be at the funeral to support NTC and the family of Mr Zangina-Tong.
The Ag. Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo expressed appreciation to the GJA President for passing through to mourn with them.
“We are grateful for your visit and look forward to seeing you and other executives of the GJA at the funeral,” she said.
Also present was the Editor of the Ghanaian Times, Mr David Agbenu and the Ag. Human Resource Manager, Mr Suleman Osman.
By Michael D. Abayateye
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Prof Alidu Seidu files nomination for Tamale Central seat
The newly elected parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Tamale Central, Prof Alidu Seidu, has submitted his nomination forms to the Electoral Commission.
As of 10:00 a.m. today, he was the only person who had filed to contest the seat.
Nomination of candidates will close at the end of the day.
Associate Professor and Head of the Political Science Department at the University of Ghana Legon, Prof. Alidu Seidu won the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries in the Tamale Central constituency with a landslide victory.
The elections, supervised by the party’s Elections and IT Directorate in the Northern Region, saw Prof. Seidu poll 840 votes out of the total valid ballots cast.
His closest contender, Lawyer Hanan Gundadow Abdul-Rahaman, secured 536 votes.
The other aspirants could not make significant gains, with Dr. Seidu Fiter obtaining 44 votes, Aliu Abdul-Hamid 23 votes, and the rest recording fewer than 10 votes each.
In all, 1,500 ballots were cast, with 6 ballots rejected and 7 spoilt ballots recorded.
The results were signed and declared by Dr. Arnold Mashud Abukari, NDC Northern Regional Director of Elections and IT.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) held parliamentary primaries in Tamale Central to choose a candidate for the upcoming by-election following the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. Dr. Mohammed, who also served as Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, tragically died in a military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District on August 6, 2025, alongside seven others.
His passing left the Tamale Central seat vacant, as required by Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
The Electoral Commission has scheduled the by-election for September 30, 2025. While the NDC moved quickly to open nominations and vet aspirants, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) announced it would not contest the seat, citing the need to respect the somber circumstances and promote national unity.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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Ghana to locally refine its gold starting October 2025 – Sammy Gyamfi
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has announced that plans are far advanced for the establishment of a state-owned gold refinery in the country.
Speaking at the 2025 Minerals and Mining Convention, Mr Gyamfi said the refinery will process locally mined gold into bullion instead of exporting it in its raw state.
According to him, it is unacceptable that Ghana, despite being a leading gold producer in Africa, continues to export raw gold known as dore.
He explained that the Gold Board, working with the Bank of Ghana and local refineries, will from October 2025 begin refining gold locally.
He also disclosed that an ultramodern assay laboratory will be built to ensure international standards in testing gold quality.
Mr Gyamfi noted that the refinery will be wholly state-owned and will help Ghana move away from raw mineral exports to value addition.
This, he said, will boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and position Ghana as a hub for gold refining and jewellery production in Africa.
The CEO stressed that the project forms part of government’s strategy to ensure the country benefits fully from its natural resources and to transform the mining sector into a driver of economic growth.
By: Jacob Aggrey
