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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
Massive celebrations were recorded countrywide as the Black Stars opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.
Midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi scored the only goal of the match late in the game as he shot in a decent cross from substitute Brandon Asante.
The win gave Ghana a positive start in the competition, placing them in second position behind England, also with three points but with a superior goal aggregate.
After the final whistle, the streets and other viewing centres were turned into partying grounds as fans, mostly clad in the team’s paraphernalia, danced to several World Cup-themed music.
Others blew the vuvuzelas in joyous mood with others putting up a spirited ‘jama’ session.
Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Adentan Constituency, Akosua Manu, has urged party members to move away from what she describes as an “entitlement mentality” and focus on unity, sacrifice and hard work as the party prepares for the 2028 general election.
In a statement titled “Is Loyalty a Queue?”, and posted on facebook, Ms. Manu argued that loyalty to the NPP should not be judged by how long a person has been in the party but by their contributions and commitment to its growth.
According to her, the NPP’s history shows that many of its leaders faced significant opposition from within the party before eventually leading it to electoral success.
She cited former President John Agyekum Kufuor as an example, saying he had to overcome resistance from influential figures within the party before winning power for the NPP in 2000.
Ms. Manu noted that after the party lost power in 2008, former President Kufuor faced criticism and accusations from some party members.
However, she said supporters eventually put their differences aside and worked together to rebuild the party.
She pointed to the experience of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who, according to her, faced opposition from some factions within the NPP despite his long service to the party.
“His trials were ten times what Kufuor endured,” she stated, adding that Akufo-Addo eventually overcame the challenges and became President of Ghana.
Turning to the NPP’s current flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ms. Manu said he also faced resistance from different groups within the party while seeking leadership.
She praised Dr. Bawumia for contributing to policy-based political discussions in Ghana and for remaining composed following the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections.
According to her, party members must now rally behind him in the same way they supported former Presidents Kufuor and Akufo-Addo.
Ms. Manu, however, warned that internal divisions and a sense of entitlement remain major threats to the party’s future.
She argued that some party members place too much emphasis on how long individuals have belonged to the NPP rather than on their contributions and capabilities.
“This entitlement does not question impact. It does not ask what you sacrificed or what you built. It asks only how long have you been here,” she said.
The former parliamentary candidate cautioned that such attitudes could discourage committed members and prevent the party from selecting the best people for leadership positions.
She further called on the party’s incoming national executives to strengthen the NPP’s core values of sacrifice, honesty, integrity and dedication to national development.
Ms. Manu addressed the concerns of young party supporters, many of whom she said became discouraged following the NPP’s electoral defeat in 2024.
According to her, many young people remain eager to see the party return to power but are unwilling to support internal conflicts driven by personal ambitions.
She urged party elders to place the interests of the NPP above their individual goals and to demonstrate leadership that attracts rather than alienates members.
“The NPP is bigger than any one of us. It always has been. Our collective responsibility is to act like it,” she stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
