GHANA ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY NEEDS A FUNCTIONAL STRUCTURE - BECCA

Award winning Ghanaian songstress, Rebecca Acheampong popularly known as Becca in a brief interview gave answers to questions begging for clues about her love life, Ghana entertainment writers and entertainment.

Enjoy the excerpt…

Becca, while answering question in regards to a Nigerian artiste she would love to settle with if the chance presents itself, she reply thus: “I have never wished to settle down with a fellow artiste, but I don’t know who God might bring my way. But if I find someone in Nigeria who has the things I want in a man, I won’t mind.

For example; I think Ice Prince is an amazing person; 2face is also amazing, though he’s married. Dare Art Alade, MI is among.”

Addressing the low side of Ghana entertainment industry and things it need to learn from Nigeria entertainment industry to grow, she said: “There is a lot of support in Nigeria that individuals and corporate organisations give to the industry, and Ghana lacks that.

Our government needs to pump money in to the industry for it to flourish. Ghana entertainments need a functional structure. May be you guys (Nollywood) can come down and help us in that aspect (laughs).”

Commenting on the effort of Ghana entertainment writers in facilitating the growth of the entertainment industry, she said their effort has not totally being encouraging, but there is hope that they could do more.

“I am not going to lie about this, I think in everything, there are good and bad people. Ghanaian writers are doing quite well, but they could do better. There are writers who are there to bring you down, and there are some who will push you up. Ghanaian entertainment writers are doing quite well, but they could do better.”

“Sometimes when you have a new song, instead of making noise about it through reviews etc, what some rather do is to pick only the negative things about it. If we want to sell our own to the world, why not talk about the good things about it that will sell the country itself in good light?”

“Sometimes, I say to myself “we (artistes) need to meet with entertainment writers in Ghana and talk about it, because, to be frank with you, it is not helping us at all as artiste and a country. We need more entertainment writers who will see the positive effects of doing the right thing that will help and encourage the industry.”

“Our journalists need not to only pick on artistes negatives stories; they need to write about the positive ones as well. Mind you, as an artiste, I am human and I make mistakes” She said.

THERE IS NO BACK DOOR TO BIG BROTHER AFRICA - SELLY

The Ninth Edition of Africa’s biggest reality series, Big Brother Africa BBA, kicks off in September.

Already, Ghanaians who are interested in representing Ghana in this year’s Big-Brother Africa have started buzzing and knocking the doors of some ex-Ghanaian representatives to see how best they can assist them into the house.

One of Ghana’s representatives in the Big Brother ‘The chase’ edition, Selly seems, to be facing more pressure from her fans and social media friends, asking her to assist them with easy links to enter into the house.

Speaking to Razz Newspaper, Reporter (Mustapha Inusah)she confirmed that, it’s true that people are buzzing her phones and her social media with messages, asking her to assist them in any means to find their way into the BBA house and also help them pass through back door.

She said that, as far as she’s concerned, there’s no back door or any connections to entering into the BBA house. Talking about how she got into the BBA house, she said that her situation was based on luck because she didn’t know what BBA was and also, she was not a real fan of the show until she got into the house.

Talking about which kind of candidate she wishes should be selected and can go on to win the ultimate price of Ghana this time round, she gave the attributes of the fellow as someone who’s Bold, tolerant, with good personality, someone who can attract votes in other countries and someone who can easily understand other peoples culture because BBA is full of surprises.

She added that , she will not advise anyone not to go to BBA, ‘Although I will only go back to the BBA house when I am called again , only if I can be assured that there will not be shower hour and also the possibility of me winning the money. I will not advise anyone not to go to BBA because the benefits in it are huge’ she added.

Adding her voice to the debate across African countries about the fact that BBA Africa does not depict and speak well of the African rich culture, she mentioned, ‘I Don’t think BBA should be blamed for some of the bad cultures that goes on in the house . It’s the individuals that go into the house that needs to be blamed because anyone who enters the house is cautioned against his or her conduct.’

Talking about the various nude pictures that come in the public domain during the shower hour, she said that she doesn’t believe that the African culture tells that when when one is bathing, one should put on shirts and pants, so if the various representatives in the BBA house bathe and it manages to come out during the shower hour, she doesn’t think one need to blame them or blame BBA producers because that’s the format of the program.

As it stands now , BBA auditions have already began , with entry opened to the same 14 countries with the exceptions of Angola which will be replaced by newcomer , Rwanda as a results of the change participating countries this year are Botswana , Ethiopia, Ghana , Keyan ,Malawi,Namibia,Nigeria,Sierra Leone,Rewanda, South Africa , Tanzania , Uganda , Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Enteries are only opened to persons aged 21 and above , who are citizens of one of the participating countries and must have a valid passport , producers are looking for people who are entertaining and passionate about BBA experience , hopefuls must be fluent in English.

DROP YOUR RE-ELECTION AMBITION - MR IBU WARNS AGN PRESIDENT

Comic actor John Okafor popularly known as Mr Ibu has asked Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) president Ibinabo Fiberisima to drop her ambition of running for a second term.

According to him, about 90% of the association members do not want her as their leader, with many court cases being instituted against her.

He said she is still adamant to rule because she is gaining something.

“Going for a second term is making the anger in people expand. It is better for her not to come again. She should leave the office and allow another person to try. No progress at all. I am not part of it. As I speak with you, Ibinabo has about two to three court cases.

“We are tired, we want another person. We should try a new person, let's see what he or she would do. About 90% of the people she is ruling say no, but she insisted. Why? Because she is gaining something," he told Encomium magazine this week.

When asked about his assessment of the movie industry, he said “If I should talk about the movie industry you would make me shout because the industry is giving me headache. I am not happy at all. I believe we are matured enough to be independent.

“As big as AGN is we don't have a national headquarters, I mean a film village. Go to other countries in Africa, they have most of these facilities but we have not been able to achieve these because of greed.

“All the money promised by President Jonathan and other state Government, what have they done with it? Whether it has been collected or not we don't know. It is very painful considering the number of years we have been in existence,” he said.

MR. GHANA TIPPED FOR BIG BROTHER AFRICA, ZUGAH & EUGENE SAFO BOUNCED.

Big Brother Africa is undoubtedly the most viewed television program in this continent. Following the anticipation of this year’s edition, the BBA’s finally held its Ghana auditions over the weekend at the plush Holiday Inn Hotel and being a guest at the auditions, the Trace Report definitely has a lot to share.

Ghana’s many unsuccessful attempts in Africa’s major reality show has raised concerns for patrons in the industry haven seen the likes of Sammy B, Kwaku T, DKB, Keitta, Eazzy and Elikem’s inability to return with the cash.

The turn up for its first open call was promising as patronage only appreciated with time. What struck our attention though was the presence of celebrities who were there to also try out their luck, some lived up to expectations and others didn’t forget to disgrace themselves.

All through 2014, Mr. Ghana Nii Tackie Laryea did well to capture attention from the panel (judges), the ladies and our writers. We are unreliably informed he is the favorite of them all. His persona, awesome physique and good looks worked like magic.

Other celebrities who were present and yet were shown the door includes Eugene Safo of Peace fm online, actress Vickie Zugah and Salma Mumuni, Percy the comedian, beauty queens from Miss Malaika, Miss Ghana and Ghana’s Most Beautiful amongst others.

The Trace Report is strongly vouching for him to represent Ghana in the upcoming Big Brother competition. Nii Tackie Laryea is likely to bring the $300,000 home for the first time.

REAL NAMES OF SOME GHANAIAN MUSICIANS

Real Names Real Names Of Ghanaian Musicians Revealed

I must confess most of Ghanaian musicians have very nice names. But how comes they don’t make their names known to the public and prefer been called nicknames.

One the positive side, a new revolution is here with us where some of them are are going back to their root using their family names (surname)

Check out this list of real names of your favourite musicians

Reginald Osei (Reggie Rockstone)

Michael Kwesi Owusu Addo – Sarkodie

Rashid Mugeez – Mugeez

Faisal Hakeem – Paedae

Emmanuel Andrews Samini – Samini

Nii Addo Quaynor – Tinny

Frank Elinam Cobinah – Atumpan

Emmanuel Ababio – Promzy (VIP)

Joseph Nana Ofori – Prodigal (VIP)

Abdul Hamid Ibrahim – Lazzy (VIP)

Christelle Akua Sika Amankona – Lousika

Elom Adablah – E.L

Kwame Amet Tsikata – M.anifest

George Kwabena Adu – Kwabena Kwabena

Jane Awindor – Efya

Kwaku Nsiah- Boamah – Stone- Flowking (BRADEZ)

Kwaku Nsiah Amankwah – Kunta Kinte BRADEZ

Kwame Nsiah Appau – Okyeame Kwam

Rebecca Acheampong – Becca

Emmanuel Botchwey – Kwaw Kese

Osei Kweku Vincent – Strongman

Nana Wiafe Asante-Mensah – ASEM

Desmond Kwesi Blackmore – D Black

Nana Yaw Oduro Agyei – Trigmatic

Mildred Ashong – Eazzy

Fianko Bossman – Chase



Nana Kwaku Okyere Duah – Tic Tac

JoshuaAmpah – KECHEPA

Andrew Kudjoe – KECHEDE

Paul Nuamah Donkor – JaySo

Darlington Kwasi Agyekum – D.Cryme

Diamond Appiah – Diamond

Denning Edem Agbeviadey – Edem

Tiffany Owusu – Itz Tiffany

Jeffery Klu – Klu Monsta

“I DON’T NEED FACEBOOK, ARREST IMPOSTERS FOR ME” – AKROBETO

Ace Kumawood movie actor who is undoubtedly one of the best actors in Ghana, Akwasi Boadu popularly known as Akrobeto, last week Friday said on Pluzz FM’s morning show ‘AM Pluzz’ that success of his career can never be predicated on social media presence.

In an interview with host Sammy Flex, Akrobeto was asked if he was active on social media especially Facebook and his response was in the negative.

“What is Facebook? Is Facebook the key to life? Those who want to do Facebook are doing it and those who are not interested are also doing their own thing. It adds or takes nothing away from my career because that is not what will feed me. Most of my people are on Facebook but I don’t think I will waste my time on that thing,” he said.

When he was told that an advantage of the social media as a celebrity is for his fans to interact with him in and around the whole world, he answered: “It’s a headache, I am a busy man. Even for the past year, I haven’t stayed in my house for a week. Anyone who needs me for business will surely come to look for me and contact me. When was Facebook introduced? Were we not working successfully without Facebook before it was created?” Akrobeto asked.

“There is a facebook that bears the name Akrobeto. Is it not your page?” he was asked.

“It’s not me. About thousand people are complaining that when they send messages I don’t reply. Someone has created that page in my name and I haven’t given anyone the authority to do so. If it’s illegal you can arrest the person but for me I don’t have my image on it. My life is different,” he replied.

This comes at the back of the fact that most deals for showbiz people in modern times come with condition that the showbizer has strong presence on the internet, particularly the social media.

This was one reason why last year, some local movie actors who won topmost awards in Ghana Movie Awards were declined selection to have been part of actors that were flown to France for the Cannes Film Festival.

Could the absence of celebrities like Akrobeto from social media be attributed to sheer ignorance on their part or a choice to do what they want in life?

OFORI AMPONSAH PULLS CELEBRITIES TO HIS CHURCH

One time multiple award-winning high life artiste Ofori Amponsah now a man of God in an exclusive interview with Flex newspaper has revealed he wants to win more celebrities for God.

When he was asked if Ghanaians should be expecting another album from him, he said he was focusing on the calling because it’s not an easy task.

“I have to prepare myself for what God has called me to do. With regards to the music, it got to a time the interest wasn’t there. It could also be that for the past twelve to thirteen years I have always been in the studio trying to bring out something new, so I may say tiredness has set in but now another thing is that God gave me a platform in the music industry but I feel there is nothing to achieve anymore over there than to concentrate on the calling that I am doing now,” he revealed.

When he was asked if he will reduce the spate at which he produces music and pay attention to the calling, he said: “Exactly so, but for now I am bringing a serious one out. The main purpose is to evangelize the word of God. I am in the studio recording this new one that blow every one’s mind.

He explained that the first gospel album ‘Hallelujah’ was the beginning of his calling so the concentration wasn’t that massive. Music is a powerful tool that can be used for evangelism and that is what he is doing now.

According to Prophet Ofori Amponsah, Ghanaians accepted his first gospel album and even now radio stations keep playing it. “Actually the attention wasn’t like the past that I composed and sang high life songs. This time it won’t be like before and the expectation that it will be like the previous one is different. This one talks about God and humankind,” the man of God stated.

When he was asked how successful his ministry has been, he said he started the ministry before entering into the music industry which people didn’t know. “The ministry is something that if I don’t do, I wouldn’t know what do to because that‘s the higher calling but it depends on us to respond to that call. After gaining everything, one thing I lost was the relationship with Jesus Christ and that is what I wanted to achieve by drawing closer to the Lord Jesus Christ and by the grace, I am able to direct lost souls with the gift I have,” he revealed.

When he was asked if he still associates with his former colleagues in the secular world scene he responded: “My church is lucky because we have stars like Prince David Osei and more sometimes we get stars who visit us. There is a notion that when you are a secular artiste you are evil. Sometimes when I go for evangelism and God is working, people keep on asking if it’s for real because they feel I can’t be called but they forget that God calls the dirty ones and use them as his vessels.”

SHATTA WALE BLAMES THE MUSIC INDUSTRY FOR CASTRO’S DEATH

The mysterious disappearance of Hiplife artiste-Castro De Destroyer is bringing several issues to bear and attracting comments and attention from different people both from Ghana and outside Ghana.

Social commentators, Politicians, Journalists, Spiritualists, Musicians, and all sorts of people are adding their voices to what will go down in history as one of biggest mysteries of our time.
As Ghanaians and the world pay close attention to what is going on in connection with the alleged death of Castro and his lady friend, Janet Bandu.

Controversial Dancehall artiste Shatta Wale (2014 VGMA Artiste of the Year) is the latest to add his voice to the many others who are still wondering where Castro is-dead or alive. He could not hold back his thoughts and opinion in relation to the tragic alleged accident Castro and his friend encountered whilst jet skiing at Ada.

According to Shatta Wale, he will put the blame on the Ghana Music Industry. As he put it out in a facebook post, Shatta wrote the below statement (unedited).

“I DONT BLAME ANYBODY BUT WILL BLAME THIS INDUSTRY THAT MAKES ARTISTE FEEL LIKE POPPERS..THIS INDUSTRY KILLED TERRY BONCHAKA BECUASE HE WASNT PAID GOOD ENOUGH TO EVEN AFFORD A BETTER CAR,NOW CASTRO IS ALSO DEAD ALL BECAUSE HE TRUSTED HIS BROTHER(ASAMOAH GYAN) WHO WOULD HAVE MADE HIM A BETTER STAR IN THE NEAR FUTURE, BECAUSE OUR INDUSTRY WASNT MAKING HIM,HE WAS PUSHING HIMSELF TO THE TOP…MAY OUR GREAT GOD SET PEACE IN YOUR SOUL..WILL ALWAYS LOVE U..#CASTRO”

MY SISTER IS NOT ‘MAAME WATER’ – CASTRO’S MYSTERY GIRL’S SISTER SPEAKS

Family of the mystery lady identified as Janet Bandu who has disappeared with Hiplife life artiste Castro is shuttered in disbelieve that their dear sister and daughter has been missing since Sunday and she is feared dead.

As if difficultly dealing with the disappearance of their daughter was not enough, the Bandu family also has to deal with some rumors about Janet suggesting that she is a sea goddess.

Gifty Bandu Janet’s elder sister stated in an interview on Neat FM’s “Entertainment Ghana” that people should stop insinuating that her sister is a goddess and asked Ghanaians to stop referring to her missing sister as is ‘Maame water’, also known as mermaid – a mythical sea creature that has the body of a woman from head to waist and the body of a fish from waist downwards.

Gifty Bandu, pleaded with the public to understand the pain and trauma the family was going through now and stop making things worse with allegations that Janet is a mermaid who has eloped with Castro to marry him under the sea.

“My sister is not ‘maame water’. She is a human being. She was in I’m in Love with Bomaye’ and people know her …When we hear such reports, it brings us a lot of pain. Maame (Jane) is not‘maame water’. She is a human being like any other person. She is my sister. And we are praying that she would be found and Castro too would be found. People should stop saying she is ‘maame water’ and stop saying absurd things about her,” Gifty Bandu stated.

“There way people are talking about my sister we cannot contain it anymore it is too much for us. I want people to know that my sister is a human being and she belongs to a family. I am pleading with Ghanaians that it is an accident and we should pray for her life and that of Castro rather than spreading false rumors because I still believe my sister is alive”. She disclosed that Janet is 24 years and the last of five children of which one was deceased. According to Gifty, Janet was studying Fashion Designing at Mayfair Design School at Cantonments in Accra.

Gifty disclosed further that the Bandu family, on seeing Janet’s picture in Daily Guide on Monday, realized she was the unnamed lady reported to have gone missing in the Volta River with Castro and therefore they took a trip to Ada to look for her.

“We got to Ada and went to the Ada Police Station to talk to them. We don’t know what to do and where to go but we would return there today to continue to look for her,” Gifty narrated and said the family was yet to make any contact with Asamoah Gyan because they had no idea how to reach him. Janet is also said to be an upcoming actress who worked briefly with Socrates Safo’s Movie Africa Production. She also featured in a reality TV show dubbed “I'm In Love with Bomaye” aired on Multi-TV in 2012.

Her father is Staff Sergeant Joe Bandu (retd.) and according to him his daughter schooled at Kasoa in the Central region before continuing at Mayfair Design School. He said the family lives at Kasoa and knew Janet was in school until Sunday when they heard of the incident. The ex-service man said he had just returned from northern Ghana after attending the funeral of a brother.

Castro and Janet were said to have taken one of the sea scooter (Jet Ski) out on a cruise on the Volta Lake when the accident occurred. Sources said Castro and Janet suffered the accident on the Volta Lake while on a weekend getaway with Black Stars’ striker, Asamoah Gyan, his brother Baffour Gyan, their manager Sammy Anim Addo among others.

As at the time of filing this report this afternoon Wednesday July 9, 2014, Janet and Castro were yet to be found and the search is still on.

YVONNE TAKES OVER FROM JACKIE APPIAH

Hot Actress Yvonne Nelson, according to information available to News-One, is one of the lead female characters in the sequel of the movie,’ Cheaters’.

Yvonne was contracted to play the lead role after archrival Jackie Appiah, who played the female major character in the first and second episodes of the movie, was kicked out of the cast.

‘Cheaters,’ is a romantic comedy which has been segmented into episodes.

Director Frank Rajah calls each episode, a book.

Book 1 & 2 had Jackie Appiah and Adjetey Anang starring as the lead characters.

However Frank has wrapped the shoot for Books 3 & 4 of the movie with an entirely new cast including Yvonne Nelson, Eddie Watson and wife Naomi Watson, Kweku Elliot and Zynnell Lydia Zuh among others.

Sources said the development was generating some controversy in the ‘Characters’ camp as Frank Rajah is under pressure to satisfy the casts on the divide.

He told an Accra based radio station over the weekend that he took Jackie Appiah off the role because she was away in Brazil and he couldn’t wait for her to comeback.

Besides, he said, the episode he shot had an entirely different story from the previous one, hence the decision to kick Jackie and others out.

I AM NOT UNDER PRESSURE-FRANK RAJAH

Movie Director Frank Rajah has responded to claims that he is under pressure over his decision to change the cast for the upcoming sequel to his movie, ‘Cheaters’.

According to him, everything is under control.

Frank reportedly kicked out lead actress Jackie Appiah and other cast in the first and two instalments of the movie and replaced them with archrival actress Yvonne Nelson and a new set of cast including Eddie Watson, Naomi Watson, Kweku Elliot and Zynnell Lydia Zuh.

Sources said the development was generating some controversy in the ‘Cheaters’ camp as Frank Rajah is under pressure to satisfy the cast on each divide.

However, Frank told NEWS-ONE yesterday that “there is no problem. Everything is perfectly going well. Everything is cool.”

He said the new sequel is titled ‘Cheaters Vacation’ and that “it is not a continuation of the Book 1&2. Those stories have ended and totally different from the new one, so don’t get it twisted,” Frank reiterated.

D BLACK: I’M NO OPPORTUNIST

Ever since D-Black started his music career, most of his hit songs have been collaborations with other musicians and now some music enthusiasts are seeing him as someone who cannot come out with a ‘banger’ on his own.

Others are even branding him as an opportunist who takes advantage of already established artistes to enhance his works to churn out hit songs.

Some of his hit collaborations include Somebody ft Kwabena Kwabena, I like That ft Sarkodie, Carry Go ft Davido, Vera Ft Joey B, Conference Call ft. Kwaw Kese and Personal Person ft Castro.

However, D-Black who debunks this perception believes he can stand on his own without the support of his other colleague musicians.

He told Showbiz “I collaborate with other musicians because they are different in their own ways. It is ridiculous for anyone to say I am an opportunist because my fan base is beyond Ghana”.

D-Black explained that because he is not fluent in Twi and Ga, he goes in for artistes who speak those languages well to help get his message across.

“If I could sing in Twi or Ga, I wouldn’t have to feature others on my songs most of the time. That is not say I wouldn’t have done collaboration even if I were fluent in Twi or Ga. I cannot sing Twi or Ga that is why I always feature other musicians”

D-Black who has topped several charts in Ghana with his current song Personal Person is about releasing a gospel song titled Son of God which features Bisa Kdei.

Son of God was produced by DJ Breezy of Personal Person, Selfie, Sei Ho and Tonga fame.

In Son of God, D-Black praised God for the success he has achieved with his music career. He also used the song to encourage people going through difficulties to have faith in God because He is the only one who never disappoints.

Son of God is D-Black’s second single gospel song. The first one was Somebody which featured Kwabena Kwabena.

“Son of God is an inspirational song and I hope it improves the lives of those who listen to it. I hardly do gospel music but looking at what God has done for me throughout my music career, I believe it is right for me to do a song to glorify His name and to encourage others to do same” he said.

KWAW KESE DIVORCES WIFE AFTER 6 YEARS OF MARRIAGE

Hiplife artiste Emmanuel Botchwey aka Kwaw Kese has ended his six-year-old marriage with his wife.

The ‘abodam’ rapper's wife is a white American and used to work at the American Embassy in Ghana.

Reasons for their separation is however not yet known.

Kwaw Kese has two kids with his wife: a boy and a girl whose names are only known as Sean and Veronica.

The rapper tweeted in a rather elated tone on Monday that he is single. It is strange that he chose to break the news publicly since he has kept his marriage quiet all these years…

Below is the exact comment on tweeter

“SINGLE AGAIN, AFTER 6 YEARS OF MARRIAGE I AM OFFICIALLY SINGLE!!!!”

2014 HAS BEEN POSITIVE FOR DANCEHALL -JUPITER

Dancehall artiste Jupiter says 2014 has really been a positive year for most members of the Dancehall fraternity.

The ‘Money Box’ hit maker was nominated for the Dancehall Artiste of the Year, Dancehall Song of the Year, Best Collaboration of the Year (Dancehall), Music Video of the Year (Dancehall) and Best Performer of the Year categories in the second edition of the BASS Awards.

“This year has really been a great year for the Dancehall artistes. Personally as a Dancehall artiste, three years ago I wasn’t actually having platforms like the VGMAs and other platforms we have here in Ghana to perform. This year has really been a positive year for every Dancehall artiste, I mean the reigning ones,” Jupiter told NEWS-ONE.

Born Michael Okine, Jupiter stated that in the past Dancehall artistes could not make it at most of the popular events in Ghana because of the genre of music they were doing.

“In the past I found it really difficult to be on those platforms because of the kind of music I’m doing which is Dancehall. Last year and this year, I’m not bragging, but I have been on every show and gained a bit of money so I guess it’s really been a good year. Every Dancehall artiste who actually did well also enjoyed the same way I enjoyed,” he added.

Perhaps the year under review has really heightened the interest of Ghanaians in the genre with Shatta Wale winning the Ultimate Artiste of the Year award at the just ended Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).

TEARS FLOW FOR CASTRO

Several showbiz personalities in Ghana have expressed shock and sympathy after news broke on Sunday afternoon that hip-life artiste Castro had drowned in the Volta Lake at Ada Foah after a failed attempt at rescuing a drowning female friend.

Castro, 32, was reported to have been cruising on a jet ski on the river when the unfortunate incident happened near the Ada Estuary, and as at Monday afternoon, reports said his body was yet to be found though fisher folks and Marine Unit of the Ghana Police Service had launched a search operation.

NEWS-ONE surfed social network Twitter to check what some of the country’s celebs tweeted about the tragedy.



Bull Dog (@BULLHAUS)

Artiste Manager and Chief Executive of Bullhaus Entertainment Bull Dog on Sunday tweeted: “Sad day in the Entertainment Industry… RIP bro.”

Jay Foley (@jayfoley2131)

Radio presenter and TV personality Jay Foley also tweeted: “That feeling beyond PAIN.. Ghana has been brought to its knees. RIP #castro.”



D-Black (@DBLACKGH)

Rapper D-Black on Sunday said: “Rest In Peace my brother Castro. Ur legacy will forever live on..”



Lydia Forson (@lydiaforson )

Popular actress Lydia Forson tweeted: “Just put on my phone to see several messages about Castro… Please say it’s not true.”



Reggie Rockstone (@ReggieRockstone)

Veteran rapper Reggie Rockstone on Sunday said: “My fones [phones] blowing up bout [about] Castro and I pray this is not true pple! Called him but no pick! (he returns calls late so I wait) all pray NOW.”



Wanlov the Kubolor (@wanlov)

Wanlov the Kubolor tweeted: “oh Castro!!! oh!!!”



Bisa kdei (@bisa_kdei)

Contemporary High-life musician Bisa kdei, who was shocked at the news, said: “naaa i don’t want to believe this..this is not true..Castro???



Tiffany (@itz_tiffany)

Ghanaian female rapper and singer Tiffany, who appeared to be in denial, posted: “#never never he’s deffo gon swim back I swear. Under can swim I know u can… please swim bk. this ain’t true. My heart God….”



Trigmatic (@trigmaticrocks)

Rapper and song writer Trigmatic also tweeted on Sunday that “This shouldn’t be true. God pls! #castrostillalive”



Chase Forever (@chaseforever )

R&B sensation Chase Forever also tweeted: “Omg omg I hope is not true Castro!!!”

TOURISM AUTHORITY COMMENCES INVESTIGATION INTO CASTRO’S DEATH

The Ghana Tourism Authority has sent a fact finding team to investigate the reported death of Ace Hip Life Artiste Castro and his female friend.

The artiste and his female friend have still not been found since Saturday after they went Jet Skiing at a resort in Ada. There have been several rumors as to what really caused the Jet Ski accident.

However the tourist board suspects safety standards may have been breached. Its Public Relations Officer, Ohene Aryeh told Ultimate Radio, there are laws regarding the operation of all sea and water crafts and their operations at resorts and coastal recreational centres.

“Our new law even says that we need to licence the jet skis and those who provide these water crafts and we indeed have new laws that encompasses the licensing of all these activities” he emphasized.

“We are sending a fact finding team to Adaa because we need to know whether it was the hotel that gave him the life jacket or the Jet Ski or the water craft which he went unto”

He assured that a statement will be issued after its investigations are over.

Mr. Ohene Aryeh also emphasized that punitive actions will be dealt squarely to anyone found to have acted in negligence.

CASTRO WANTED TO QUIT HIP-LIFE MUSIC FOR GOSPEL - MORRIS BABYFACE CLAIMS

Award winning beat-maker and musician Morris Babyface now known as Morris D’voice has disclosed that “missing” Hip-Life artiste Castro also known “Under-Fire” had wanted to be a full time gospel singer, thus, quitting the secular music genre.

He claims the “African Girls” hit maker personally told his blood brother Roro Buddy who also happens to be a sound engineer.

“I remember Castro telling my brother Roro Buddy not long ago that this is his last hip-life album and that he would do gospel after. And I said brother, you don’t give yourself time to hear the voice of God, for God knows tomorrow but you do not. Listen to that still voice of God and act now, for that may be your saving grace,” he claimed to have told Castro.

Morris D’voice made this assertion on his Facebook wall after expressing much pain that Castro did not experienced the Grace of the Lord before his unexpected calamity.

Castro and his lady friend named Janet Bandu went missing on Sunday July 6, 2014 after allegedly drowning in a jet ski accident at Ada where they were on holiday with some friends including Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan.

The Marine division of the Ghana Police is said to be working tirelessly to find Castro and his female friend.

However, many including fetish priests, Mallams and prophets have told Peace FM and that the lady whom Castro wanted to save before they both drown is a Marine Spirit or “Mame Water”.

However, Morris D’voice says that, though he does not consider the claims by the spiritualists as factual yet he insists Janet Bandu is not “fully human”.

“Even though I don’t believe in these fetish priests, mallams and all these false prophets because there’s no truth in the devil, people shouldn't be amazed about what they are hearing about the lady [Janet] he [Castro] was with. She isn't full human...”

He further explained that “There are such people around that we are living with. Ever asked yourself when someone goes to a fetish priest for a baby and he is able to give one, where from that baby? Can the devil create ‪man‬? It is up to you to believe it or not but be careful before it is too late”‬.

His only hope is that, Castro who he calls his brother is found alive.

“I can only hope God does a miracle. There is no time to joke with friends. JESUS is still calling. Don’t let things of this world distract you…I pray we all avail ourselves and get saved. ‪#‎AMEN‬” he posted on his social media Facebook wall.‬

ASAMOAH GYAN RELEASES OFFICIAL STATEMENT ...BELIEVES CASTRO IS STILL ALIVE

Asamoah Gyan and his elder brother, Baffour Gyan, who were in Ada with Castro before the unfortunate, happened on Sunday afternoon, have finally released a statement on the suspected drowning of hiplife artiste, Castro, and Jane Bandu in the Ada estuary.

In the statement dated July 8, 2014 and signed by their Spokesman and Business Development Manager, Sammy Anim Addo, the Gyan brothers confirmed that Castro and Janet were indeed missing.

They said efforts were underway to locate them, and called on people who have information that can assist the search to make them available.

Expressing hope that the duo will found alive, the brothers said, “Our prayers and support lie firmly with Castro and Miss Jane Bandu and their families. We pray for strength and fortitude for all engaged in the search.”

Read the full statement below:

“On Sunday 6 July 2014 we were on holiday in the company of friends and a few acquaintances on the banks of the Volta River, shuttling between Peace Holiday Resort and Aqua Safari Resort at Ada when we noticed that our close friend and popular musician, Castro (known in private life as Theophilus Tagoe) had gone missing on the Volta River together with an acquaintance, Miss Jane Bandu, who had apparently hitched a ride with Castro on a jet ski rented by Castro.

We have made and we continue to make every effort to find them. Several state institutions and officials have been involved in the search, including the Marine Police, the Navy, the Tema Police Command, the Ada Police Command, Ada East District Assembly, local fishermen at Ada and some traditionalists.

The jet ski on which Castro and Miss Jane Bandu rode has been retrieved. However, the two are yet to be found. We are keeping hope alive that the two will eventually be found.

Our prayers and support lie firmly with Castro and Miss Jane Bandu and their families. We pray for strength and fortitude for all engaged in the search. And we also call on anyone who has useful information to assist in this quest. God bless us all.”

“CASTRO IS DEAD”… FAMILY MEMBER CONFIRMS

Though it started as some kind of a hoax on social media, it is becoming threatening at this time because there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel.

The entertainment industry is really in a state of shock as players are still finding it difficult to come to terms with information that Castro and a lady called Janet Bandu might be dead. In Ghana, issues of this nature means giving the opportunity to some people to come up with serious allegations that might earn them some cheap popularity and media publicity.

In short, this is a scenario of a party gone bad and one should expect Ghanaians to come up with all sorts of stories to satisfy their desires. It happened that Asamoah Gyan had come from Brazil after a not so impressive world cup appearance and decided to de-stress at the beach riding some speed boats in Ada. After two days of having a great deal of fun time at a beach in Ada, unconfirmed reports started coming in that Castro had drowned with a lady believed to be his girlfriend and they are both feared missing and dead.

Since Saturday that the incident happened at Ada, Castro and the lady who is believed to have been identified as Janet Bandu have been reported missing but a section of the media including some family people of Castro are also claiming that Castro is dead.

Unfortunately, they are pronouncing him dead without his dead body and it is making the whole situation hard to understand.

As of last Monday, serious investigations and the search for Castro and Janet’s dead body started by the Marine Police and some traditional authorities including fisher folks who are using their rich experience on sea are doing everything possible to come up with information concerning the dead body of Castro and the supposed girlfriend.

Meanwhile, the father of Castro who gave his name as Uncle Ben has confirmed to Dr Pounds on Pluzz 89.9 fm that they know for real that Castro is dead and that people should take that information from them as final. Meanwhile, Asamoah Gyan and some people who were with Castro and the missing lady are yet to come up with comments or statement on the death or otherwise of Castro and Janet Bandu.