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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://thespectatoronline.com/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-1024x685.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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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang

The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey

Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.