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Castro laid to rest
The mortal remaining of the late Castro
It was a solemn moment as family, friends and sympathisers mourned and paid last respect to the late News/Sub- Editor of The Spectator newspaper, Castro Zangina-Tong on Saturday at Russia, a suburb of Dansoman.A section of the NTC staff at the funeral
He was interred at the Awudome Cemetery after the funeral rights at his residence.
In attendance were high profile personalities in the media space including the Board Chairman of the New Times Corporation (NTC), Dr Kwaku Rockson, Acting Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr David Agbenu, Acting Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo and Acting Human Resource Manager, Mr Suleman Osuman.
![Alhaji Kuurug-Baare Bii-Naab[left] Saviya Puporiba elder of Talensi Community in Accra [middle] and Wo 1 Moot David Daa rtd](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Alhaji-Kuurug-Baare-Bii-Naableft-Saviya-Puporiba-elder-of-Talensi-Community-in-Accra-middle-and-Wo-1-Moot-David-Daa-rtd-scaled.jpg)
Also present to bid farewell to Castro were Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) executives, colleagues at work and retirees of the company and family members.
One-by-one as dignitaries and sympathisers filed past the casket containing the remains of the former News Editor, tears flowed freely.
In his sermon, Rev. Moses Azumah, the Head Pastor of Jesus Fire Chapel urged sympathisers to be at peace with each other “because we’ll all leave one day when we are done serving our maker.”
He said “our stay on earth is for a purpose so there is the need to search for that purpose to glorify the name of the lord.”
“As a Christian when you die in Christ, you rest peacefully and that is why we must continue to do the will of God and serve God with all our heart,” he added.
Rev. Azumah said it was important to leave in peace and be each other’s keeper in times of trouble and in need.”
Uncle Castro, as he was affectionately known, died on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.
The news of his death came as a surprise to many, especially his colleagues and friends at work and in the media fraternity, having worked energetically the previous day and showed no signs of illness.
He left behind two children, Fidelis and Blessing.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
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Focus on more pressing issues like Galamsey, not hate speech – Ellen Ama Daaku to Mahama
An aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia,Ellen Ama Daaku has advised President John Dramani Mahama to shift his attention from social media hate speech to more urgent national issues such as illegal mining.
Speaking in an interview, she noted that the President’s recent comments about tracking the IP addresses of people who spread hate speech were unnecessary.
According to her, President Mahama must first define what he considers to be hate speech before seeking to punish people for it.
Ms. Daaku argued that the President himself had benefitted from hate speech and social media attacks in the past when he was in opposition.
She said even during his time in government, he described his opponents and their tribesmen in unpalatable terms, which later drew complaints from former President Nana Akufo-Addo to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
She stressed that harsh criticism of leaders on social media should not automatically be considered hate speech, adding that former leaders, including former President Nana Akufo-Addo had all been subjected to it.
“He is only feeling what Nana Akufo-Addo went through for eight years,” she remarked.
While acknowledging the need to regulate misconduct online, Ms. Daaku insisted that going after social media activists should not be a priority.
She noted that many political activists, including herself, had been insulted and attacked online but never called for arrests.
She concluded that President Mahama should focus his energy on solving pressing problems such as galamsey and the economy instead of concentrating on critics on social media.
By: Jacob Aggrey
