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Nana Kwame Ampadu reported dead
Ghanaian higlife legend, Nana Kwame Ampadu affectionately called Ndwomtofohene is reported dead.
The 76 year-old veteran musician reported to have died early hours on Tuesday.
Reports coming in indicates that Nana Ampadu, had been unwell for some time.
This notwithstanding, the family is yet to release an official statement to that effect.
Nana Kwame Ampadu was a Ghanaian musician credited with numerous popular highlife tracks and he is known to have composed over 800 songs. Ampadu’s “African Brothers Band” was formed in 1963.
In 1964, young Ampadu met Mr. Jerry Hansen, leader and founder of the Ramblers Dance band and cultivated his acquaintance where Ampadu gave Jerry eight songs in all for free which the Ramblers Band recorded.
Some of the songs are Ntoboase, Afutusem, Scholarship, Me Nsoromma Bepue. All these songs became hit tracks. One good turn deserves another. Mr. Jerry Hansen seeing the musical competence in Amapadu, introduced him to Phillips West Africa Ltd., a recording publishers and Ampadu was given the chance to record two single tracks for a 45 R.P.M release.
The maiden recording was done at the Ghana Film Industries Corporation (G.F.I.C) on the 14th of November 1966.
The 1st track that was recorded that day was Agyanka Dabere with Suminaso Ntonko as the flip side. This single was released on 21st December 1966.
The single album became an instant hit and served as a beginning of a new era in the guitar bands sector. The thought provoking nature of the lyrics in those two title tracks, made many people felt it was some old or veteran musicians who sang these songs.
From this stage, promoters and producers chased the group for recording and performing engagements.
Some of his popular tunes include Obra (which became the theme song for one of the Akan Drama shows aired on GTV on Sundays), Getty, Oman Bo Adwo, Ebi Te Yie, Kofi Nkrabea, Yaw Berko and Obi Benya Wo.
The Africa Investment Network has entered a new partnership with 17 Asset Management to expand investment opportunities for Africans in the diaspora.
The two organisations will work together to open more pathways for diaspora investors, provide better data on markets, and connect investors to viable projects across the continent.
The partnership will focus on mapping investment opportunities across countries and sectors, building a Diaspora Pathways Program to guide new investors, and creating a shared research platform that provides market insights, returns benchmarks, regulatory updates and sector outlooks.
The two groups will also develop a trade and deal catalogue to help match businesses with partners.
As part of the collaboration, both institutions will host investment roadshows through the Global Africa Summit series, starting with GAS Accra from December 11 to 12 at the Alisa Hotel.
The event will showcase deals, hold sector briefings and connect investors with government and private sector actors.
Africa Investment Network founder and Chief Executive Jane Reindorf Osei noted that diaspora capital remains one of Africa’s strongest advantages because it is patient, purpose driven and closely linked to local development outcomes.
She explained that the partnership will help direct more diaspora investment into areas where it can make the most impact.
Chairman of 17 Asset Management, John Morris, highlighted that the joint effort will blend strong investment design with Africa Investment Network’s networks and convening power.
He stressed that improved research and compliant market access will give diaspora investors more confidence across different markets.
The two institutions will open their diaspora investment platform in the second quarter of 2026, followed by the launch of a co investment window.
Investment roadshows will also be held in North America, the Caribbean and key African centres next year.
Africa Investment Network and 17 Asset Management invited governments, development finance institutions, family offices, asset managers and other partners to support deal creation, risk sharing and market building initiatives aimed at boosting diaspora participation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu insists that neither President Mahama nor the National Democratic Congress has filed any petition seeking the removal of the Electoral Commission Chairperson and her two deputies.
In a one on one Interview with GHone, he explained that the President only forwarded petitions he received, as required by law, and has not initiated any action against the EC leadership.
According to him, the identities and motives of the petitioners remain unknown to government, and the Presidency is not involved in that part of the process.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu stressed that while the NDC has openly disagreed with some actions of the Electoral Commission in the past, the party has not submitted any petition asking for the removal of the EC Chair or her deputies.
He noted that comments by the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, questioning the EC’s competence, do not amount to a formal petition.
He added that criticism of public officials is normal and does not automatically translate into a request for their removal.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that once a petition is received, the President’s only role is to forward it to the Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice then decides if the allegations have merit. If they do, a committee is set up to investigate.
He said those named in the petitions will be officially informed by the Chief Justice, not the Presidency.
They will then have the opportunity to appear before the committee, respond to the claims, and provide any evidence in their defence.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu expressed confidence that the process will be fair and will protect the rights of all those involved.
By: Jacob Aggrey
