Connect with us

Culture

150 attacks, 20 deaths, Malawi sinks $4m in four-year plan to protect albinos

The Malawi government has launched a four-year National Action Plan on Persons With Albinism aimed at ending atrocities against persons with albinism, and improving their social welfare

Published

on

The Malawi government has launched a four-year National Action Plan on Persons With Albinism aimed at ending atrocities against persons with albinism, and improving their social welfare.

For the past four years, the Southern African country has experienced barbaric attacks, including killing of persons with albinism, a development which has attracted intervention of international bodies such as the United Nations.
During the launch of the Action Plan which took place in the northern border district of Karonga on Saturday, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Jean Kalilani, said the plan focuses on all aspects of life including education, health, protection and human rights.

She said the National Action Plan on Persons With Albinism has been developed to guide the efforts to address challenges persons with albinism are facing.

“Time has come now for us to show the world the peaceful Malawi that we are where all people regardless of skin color and abilities coexist; where all people with all types of disabilities, and specifically those with albinism are respected and have equal opportunities in life,” she said.

She also said by inaugurating the Action Plan, the country was fulfilling objectives of the Constitution, particularly Section 13, which requires for development and adoption of specific policies and laws to actively promote the welfare and development of the people.

The Plan will be implemented through civic education and awareness raising, administration of justice and support of victims of attack, and safety and security of persons with albinism among others.

The implementation of the Plan for the next four years is estimated to cost 4.2 million US dollars, according to the minister.

UN Women Country Resident Representative, Clara Anyangwe, has since commended the government for the Action Plan saying it will complement UN’s existing support on raising awareness, strengthening community-based protection systems, providing direct support to persons with albinism and strengthening the justice sector response.

“The purpose of the Action Plan will only succeed when there shall no longer be any attacks on persons with albinism and when all perpetrators face the long arm of the law,” said Anyangwe, adding: “when people with albinism no longer live in fear, and when they hold decision making positions — only then shall we say we have won the battle”.

Since 2014, Malawi has recorded 150 cases of attacks against persons with albinism and at least 20 people, including women and children, have been brutally killed for their body parts on speculations that they are ideal for wealth creation.

Only 45 of these cases have been successfully prosecuted with results of conviction or acquittal while the rest are either still under investigation or in court.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Culture

Ghana’s Afua Asantewaa begins second GWR sing-a-thon attempt

Published

on

Ghanaian singer, Afua Asantewaa, on Saturday, began her second attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest singing marathon by an individual.

The sing-a-thon which began in the early hours of Saturday, December 21, at Heroes’ Park, Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, will run until December 25, and will see the determined songstress perform non-stop, focusing exclusively on Ghanaian songs.

According to Asantewaa’s manager, Madam Gladys Osei Owiredu, the audacious initiative is aimed at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ghanaian music to a global audience.

Owiredu confirmed that preparations for the event had been extensive but expressed confidence in Asantewaa’s readiness to finally break the record.

“I can confirm that she is ready for the task ahead. It’s been challenging—by way of preparations—but I can say she is ready,” Owiredu said.

Asantewaa’s second attempt follows her first effort in December 2023, which fell short of surpassing the current record of 105 hours held by India’s Sunil Waghmare.

But despite the setback, her team remains optimistic about breaking the record this time with corporate sponsors including International Maritime Hospital, Ghana Gas, Nasco Electronics, and Zoomlion Ghana Limited rallying behind her, underscoring the importance of the attempt in amplifying the global significance of Ghanaian music.

Continue Reading

Culture

Ghana’s Supreme Court dismisses suit challenging anti-LGBT bill

Published

on

Ghana’s Supreme Court has dismissed two separate suits challenging the legality of one of the proposed anti-LGBT legislations awaiting assent into law by the president.

The separate suits were filed by two legal practitioners, Amanda Odoi and Richard Sky, challenging the bill, seeking to declare it illegal and prevent the president from signing it.

The two cases had challenged the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

But in a ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court unanimously decided to dismiss the legal challenges to the new anti-LGBT legislation that has been criticised by rights groups.

The controversial bill was passed earlier this year by Ghanaian lawmakers with three years imprisonment for people identifying as LGBT and five years for forming or funding LGBT groups.

While dismissing the cases, presiding judge, Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, who delivered the ruling on behalf of the seven-member panel, said the cases were premature.

“Until there’s presidential assent, there is no act, the two cases were “unanimously dismissed,” she said.

The ruling is the latest blow to the LGBTQ community in Ghana and paves the way for the president to sign into law what many say is one of Africa’s most restrictive piece of anti-LGBTQ legislation.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose term in office ends on 7 January, had delayed signing it pending the outcome of the Supreme Court challenge but the judges said the case could not be reviewed until it had been signed it into law.

It expected that incoming president, John Mahama, will sign the bill into law as he had always expressed his support for the bill during his electioneering campaigns.

Continue Reading

EDITOR’S PICK

Sports44 minutes ago

Coach of Mamelodi Sundowns female team suspended over sexual harassment allegations

The head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns women’s team, Jerry Tshabalala, has been suspended indefinitely amid allegations of sexual harassment of...

Culture3 hours ago

Ghana’s Afua Asantewaa begins second GWR sing-a-thon attempt

Ghanaian singer, Afua Asantewaa, on Saturday, began her second attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest...

Tech3 hours ago

20 African tech-preneurs embark on Korean innovation tour

The African Development Bank Group’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab has selected 20 promising tech entrepreneurs from various African technology ventures...

Metro3 hours ago

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change 

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a...

Metro8 hours ago

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the...

VenturesNow1 day ago

Moroccan annual inflation rises to 0.8% in November

Morocco’s statistics office has confirmed that the country’s annual inflation rate, as determined by the consumer price index, increased from...

Musings From Abroad1 day ago

Swiss company Mercuria partners Zambia’s IDC in new metals trading firm

According to a statement released by Swiss commodities trader, Mercuria, on Thursday, it has established a metals trading arm with...

Metro1 day ago

Nigerian activist remanded in prison for threatening President’s son

A Nigerian court has ordered a female activist, Olamide Thomas, to be remanded in prison custody for allegedly issuing a...

Metro2 days ago

Zambian law association kicks over suspension of two members

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has kicked against the suspension of two of its council members, Arnold Kaluba, the...

Sports2 days ago

FIFA Ranking: Nigeria ends 2024 as fifth best team in Africa

Nigeria’s men’s football national team, the Super Eagles, ended the year 2024 as the fifth best team in Africa in...

Trending