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
Guinness Ghana has announced a new annual prize package for winners of the Album/EP of the Year category at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), as part of efforts to support the country’s music industry.
The company said beginning from the 27th edition of the awards, the winner of the category will receive a GH¢100,000 cash prize, funding support for a music video for their next project, and a curated album listening experience.
According to Guinness Ghana, the initiative is aimed at promoting creative excellence and contributing to the growth of Ghana’s music ecosystem.
Head of Media and Partnerships at Guinness Ghana, Yaa Amoah-Owusu, said the category represents the highest level of artistic work in the industry.
“The Album/EP of the Year category represents the pinnacle of artistic expression — body of work, storytelling, and sonic identity. This package is Guinness Ghana’s way of recognising excellence and investing in the future of the artist and the industry at large,” she stated.
She added that the company’s support goes beyond recognition on awards night, as it seeks to create long-term value for artistes and the wider creative sector.
Guinness Ghana, a long-time partner of the awards scheme, noted that the initiative will also help increase visibility and audience engagement for the winning artiste’s future projects.
The nominees for the Album/EP of the Year category include Black Sherif for Iron Boy, Stonebwoy for Torcher, Gyakie for After Midnight, Medikal for Disturbation II, Wendy Shay for Ready, and Kweku Smoke for Walk With Me.
Head of Public Events and Communications at Charterhouse, Robert Klah, welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely support for the music industry.
“This is an important intervention from Guinness Ghana. It aligns with our commitment to celebrate and elevate Ghanaian music, while also creating tangible support for artistes,” he said.
He added that the move highlights the importance of albums and EPs as lasting creative works.
The announcement comes ahead of the 27th Telecel Ghana Music Awards, organised by Charterhouse, with Telecel as headline sponsor, media partnership from TV3, and support from Guinness Ghana.
Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC is one of the country’s leading beverage companies and continues to support arts, culture, and community development in Ghana.
By: Jacob Aggrey
GOMOA Central Constituency in the Central Region of Ghana was the place of attraction for this year’s Easter, as Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Kwame Asare Obeng, affectionately called Aplus staged a four-day carnival.
The event started with a welcome bonfire night, where the people of Gomoa and some dignitaries proceeded through the principal streets of Gomoa Central on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
It continued on Friday with Highlife Night, which saw Kwabena, Bless, Dada Hafco, Kofi Nti, Ofori Amponsah, Samini and others rock patrons.
Saturday started with a walk from Obuasi through Afranse to Ekwamkrom, where a durbar of chiefs was held.
The night erupted with concert at Ekwamkrom headlined by Ghana’s Finest Sarkodie. Sarkodie indeed proved his mettle with back-to-back hit songs and engaging performance.
Patrons also enjoyed mind-blowing performances from Keche, Kuami Eugene, Tinny, Obaapa Christy, Sista Afia and many others.
On Sunday, which was the final day, witnessed packed performances from Patapaa, Kofi Kinaata, Jupitar, Kwaw Kese, Piesie Esther, and Amerado amongst others.
Patrons enjoyed exquisite catwalk on the runway as Smully Wear put together some local designers for a fashion show.
The likes of Aplus, MP for the area, Deputy GTA Boss Gilbert Aggrey (Abeiku Santana), New Media President Eugene Osafo Nkansah and Media Personality Kleff Maxwell Justice (KMJ) were all on the runway as models.
On each day, up and coming musicians had their time on the big stage to enthrall the audience.
Mr Kwame Asare Obeng in an interview with The Spectator expressed his appreciation to the traditional leaders of the area, the constituents, Corporate Ghana and all and sundry for their unflinching support.
He said the success of the maiden edition will lead to even a bigger one next year.
According to him, his constituents who own businesses like hotels, restaurants, other traders and drivers among others were able to cash out from the carnival, which was very satisfying to him.
“Empowering the community to make ends meet to cater for their families was important for me. I have engaged most of them, and they are happy with sales. This makes me very happy,” he said.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
