Entertainment
Naa Ashorkor leads ‘Five Hours with Mario’
Patrons will have a memorable day as Five Hours with Mario, an adaptation of Miguel Delibes’ novel which is a collaboration between celebrated Ghanaian playwright, LatifAbubakar and the Spanish Embassy in Accra shows today and Sunday.
The move is aimed at putting Ghana’s theatre industry on the world stage.
Speaking at the launch of the play at the Spanish Embassy, Mr Abubakar said “the Embassy’s decision to partner Globe Productions stems from a relationship between me and Ambassador Javier Gutterez, Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, who aims at deepening the Spain-Ghana relationship beyond traditional trade to arts and culture.”
The playwright whose interest is to project Ghana’s theatre industry to the world said the partnership would set Ghana on the world stage once again.
“As pacesetters of virtual live play on COVID-19 with a record 3.5 million live views as well as staging Ghana’s first open air theatre, our dream of projecting Ghana’s theatre industry beyond our country and continent is becoming a reality with the launch of this play,” he said.
The Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy, Mr Diego Spottorno, also said the Spanish Embassy was pleased to partner Mr Abubakar on this project.
He explained that the timing for the adaptation could not have been more appropriate, considering the challenges in the world today.
He said the adaptation of the play would mark the beginning of a great partnership between the Ghanaian and Spanish theatre industries.
Five Hours with Mario is one of the best and most popular Spanish novel, with touches of comedy by a renowned Spanish writer, Miguel Delibes.
The novel addresses two of the author’s favourite themes: the authenticity of rural life compared with life in the city, and death as the ultimate and definitive milestone in human life.
The play which is being adapted into a Ghanaian and Afrocentric stage play for the first time is expected to make an impact not only in Ghana and Spain but across the world.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghanaian musician Sparqlyn is set to release another big hit.
His latest release, ‘Rosina,’ features Germany-based Ghanaian musician, video director, and sound engineer TEENO (known privately as Eric Kwame Tamakloe).
TEENO’s project ‘Signs’ was recently accepted by the Grammys for official consideration in the ‘Album of the Year’ category. Now, ‘Rosina’ is making serious waves across the airwaves.
Coming shortly after the impressive reception to his previous single ‘Fameko,’ ‘Rosina’ is already receiving strong attention from music lovers and radio listeners.
This new song carries an infectious Afrobeats and Hiplife feel while maintaining the romantic direction that characterised ‘Fameko,’ Sparqlyn’s 2026 Highlife collaboration with Ziya.
‘Fameko’ marked an important moment in Sparqlyn’s musical journey, with the love-themed highlife record receiving positive reactions from music lovers and media platforms following its June 2026 release.
The song became one of the highlights of his 2026 output, ranking high on multiple charts.
‘Fameko’ has also bagged Sparqlyn two top nominations: “Highlife Song of the Year” and “Artist of the Year” at the 2026 Stars Awards.
The combination of a romantic storyline, Afrobeats rhythm, and Hiplife influence give the song a sound that fits comfortably into the current Ghanaian music landscape.
The timing of the song’s release could also prove significant for the award-winning artiste. Sparqlyn recently secured two nominations at the 2026 Ghana Youth Empowerment Awards, where he is in contention for Youth Empowerment Advocate of the Year and Outstanding Youth Personality of the Year.
With ‘Fameko’ having established strong momentum earlier in the year and ‘Rosina’ now beginning to enjoy significant airplay, Sparqlyn appears to be ending another eventful chapter of his musical career on a high note.
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Ghanaian highlife and Afrobeats singer Kuami Eugene Marfo known in showbiz circles as Kuami Eugene has urged fellow musicians and entertainers to use their influence on social media and other platforms to champion causes that positively impact society.
The award-winning artiste made the call during a UNICEF Ghana birth registration advocacy campaign in Bepoase in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region, where he joined officials from UNICEF Ghana and the Births and Deaths Registry to raise awareness about the importance of registering children at birth.
He explained that artistes wield significant influence and should leverage platforms such as TikTok, Facebook and Instagram to amplify important social initiatives and encourage behavioural change.
The musician, who has partnered UNICEF Ghana on several child-focused campaigns, said he had a special interest in issues affecting children and was committed to supporting efforts that improved their welfare and future opportunities.
He noted that birth registration was critical because it established a child’s legal identity and ensured recognition as a Ghanaian citizen.
The advocacy drive forms part of UNICEF Ghana’s efforts to improve birth registration rates across the country through community engagements, public education and collaboration with traditional authorities.
The musician said he remained focused on creating quality music while continuing to support social causes that contribute to national development, particularly initiatives aimed at improving the lives of children. –GNA
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