Entertainment
We have failed Castro and Janet Bandu- Lawyer Maurice Ampaw
Legal practitioner, Maurice Ampaw, has said that Ghanaians and the relevant state institutions clothed with power to unravel the mystery surrounding the disappearance of musician Castro and a friend, Janet Bandu, have failed them.
Castro, known privately as Theophilus Tagoe, together with Janet Bandu were in the company of former Black Stars Captain, Asamoah Gyan and others at a resort in Ada to spend the weekend on July 6, 2014.
Unfortunately, the two disappeared during a Jet Ski cruise on the lake, and against this backdrop, Monday, July 6, marked the sixth year since the unfortunate incident, but with a year more, the way would be paved for the two to be legally declared dead.
The legal practitioner, Maurice Ampaw, has expressed his disappointment.
According to him, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) failed in the search approach for the two.
In an interview with The Spectator, Maurice Ampaw said, initially, the country failed to take the right steps to properly investigate the case.
He said those who were with Castro on the fateful day were not properly investigated and were allowed to leave the crime scene, and rather authorities relied on hearsay as well, and later kept quiet on the case.
Maurice Ampaw added that the people of Ghana, and Parliament among other state institutions lost interest in the case, and failed to give it the necessary attention in order to resolve it.
He also apportioned some of the blame to the families of the missing individuals for not uniting to fight for the right thing to be done.
According to him, all that the country had been waiting for is the seven years, and a day legal requirement to declare them dead.
Describing the processes as very sad, he said the family could seek an order from the court to that effect next year, and go to the Birth and Death Registry to legally declare them dead, adding that it would give the necessary families permit to hold the funeral and look into the sharing of assets.
Expressing his displeasure, he said, “How can someone die and you say you’re waiting for seven years to declare him dead? We have not been serious and we don’t take the death of people serious,” Maurice Ampaw lamented.
According to section 33 of the country’s Evidence Act 1975, a person can only be legally declared dead after seven years, and one day by a court, where the person in question is not heard or seen despite measures to find the individual.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Veteran Ghanaian musician Okyeame Kwame has announced a new initiative aimed at engaging teachers and students through music and creativity.
The award winning artiste in a social media post revealed that the “Clap Challenge” will begin this week, starting with schools across the country.
He explained that the challenge will require a teacher together with students to record a video of themselves singing his “Clap” song.
According to him, the video must be lively and engaging to stand a chance of winning.
He stated that participants must also post their videos on social media with permission from their school authorities.
They are expected to use the hashtag #clap4others and tag him on any social media platform.
He added that one teacher will be selected as a winner every week and will receive a cash prize of GH¢1,000.
He noted that the final decision on winners will be made by him.
The musician encouraged teachers and students to take part in the challenge, stressing that it is designed to promote creativity, unity and positive expression among young people in schools.
This follows a GHC100,000 support from businessman, Richard Nii Armah Quaye, who lauded the musician for composing a song which has the tendency to change society and help eschew jealousy.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Veteran Ghanaian actor, Fred Amugi, has been cast in the upcoming Pan-African television series, Kismet, where he will play the role of Chief Ademola, a wealthy and influential Yoruba patriarch.
The series, set for production in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria, brings together a diverse cast ensemble from Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa, Cameroon, Kenya, and the United States.
A statement copied to the GNA in Accra said “It forms part of a broader effort to strengthen collaboration within Africa’s creative industry while positioning African stories for global audiences.”
Speaking on his involvement, Fred Nii Amugi, whose acting career spans more than four decades, described the role as a meaningful milestone.
“It is a proud moment for me at this stage of my career to be part of a Pan-African series,” he said.
“Playing a Yoruba character as a Ghanaian reflects something deeper about who we are as Africans. It reminds us that we are one people, connected beyond borders,” he indicated.
He added that his preparation for the role went beyond performance.
“As a Ghanaian of Ga heritage, I am taking time to study the historical and cultural links between the Ga and Yoruba people.
“I am learning about these connections so I can represent the character with truth and respect.”
“It is important that the world sees the shared identity that exists across our continent,” he noted.
Kismet is being developed as a high-quality thriller series with a Pan-African perspective, drawing talent from across the continent and the diaspora.
According to Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, President of the African Chamber of Content Producers and production advisor for the project, the series represents the united image of Africa that is capable of contributing to the global creative economy.
“As part of building a Pan-African creative economy, Kismet is a call for Africans to come together and tell our stories as one people.
“We are also aligning this effort with the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to create a strong continental market for African content,” he underlined.
The producer of the series, Paul Joegad, emphasised the global ambition behind the project.
Based in the United States, Joegad noted that the production was designed to meet international standards while maintaining authentic African storytelling.
“We are leveraging diaspora networks and global experience to create a series that resonates across cultures,” he said.
“Our goal is to produce content that can stand on international platforms through quality and strong storytelling.”
He added that assembling the right team had been central to the project’s vision. Among those involved is Mawuko Kuadzi, a Casting Society of America (CSA) member and the first African to win an Artios Award in its 40-year history.
The producers say the series seeks to position Africa as a major player in global content, fostering international Pan-African partnerships. –GNA
