Culture

Rwanda arrives big stage for African movies, fashion shows

Kigali, the Rwandan capital, appears set to dominate the culture scene in the months ahead

Published

7 years ago

June 21, 2018

Kigali, the Rwandan capital, appears set to dominate the culture scene in the months ahead.

Rwanda was officially announced as the host of the 14th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAAs) slated for August 11 2018 at the Kigali Convention Centre.

Meanwhile, as Kigali Fashion Week returns, at least 40 fashion models have been selected for the upcoming Kigali Fashion Week 2018 slated from June 21-23.

The annual fashion gala is organized to promote locally made outfits by local fashion designers and supporting local designers expose their fashion creativity to the international market.

AMAA, an annual event recognises outstanding work by Africans in the film industry.

Arguably one of the most anticipated events on the continent; the AMAAs are expected to attract people from all walks of life.

Speaking during the official launch of the awards at the Kigali Cultural and Exhibition Village on Thursday, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the awards founder and CEO, said Kigali was their choice for the awards because of its good hospitality reputation.

“It’s wonderful that Rwanda is pushing for the promotion of arts. This makes it easy for us filmmakers to come and work with locals. We are honoured to have worked with some of the filmmakers in Rwanda’s industry and hopefully, this will pave way for more collaboration in the future,” she said.

Belise Kariza, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Chief Tourism Officer said, “We are excited to be the hosts of the upcoming Africa Movie Academy Awards. The awards come at a time when Rwanda is putting a lot of effort in boosting the entertainment industry in the country, as well as positioning it as one of the key sources of economic development.”

She added, “In addition to being an opportunity for Rwandan filmmakers to acquire skills from across the continent, the awards are a great platform for job opportunities in the film industry. It is also a prospect to showcase Rwanda as a tourist destination. We thank the organisers for choosing Rwanda.”

The nominations for the awards will be unveiled in July.

Last year, Kigali hosted the AMAA nominations gala, and Rwandan filmmaker, Clementine Dusabejambo, was nominated. The events were previously held in Lagos, Nigeria.

John Bunyeshuri, the founder of Kigali Fashion Week, said this edition will be all about uniqueness of Made-in-Rwanda outfits, adding that he trusts local fashion designers’ creativity will excite and impress the audience.

He said, “Our main focus is to contribute towards the promotion of Made-in-Rwanda using our platform to the international market. We have the platform, we have excellent designers and a good organizing team behind the event management, the rest is making history. I am confident people can only expect the best out of the event”

The arguably biggest fashion event in Rwanda is expected to attract 14 local designers, who will be joined by African fashion designers trading their profession in different countries across the world, namely Uganda, Burundi, England, Kenya, Switzerland, Japan, USA, Germany, DRC, Spain, Nigeria and Germany.

Kigali Fashion Week has seen fast rise, going international after its fashion events to Europe in April, looking to expand Made-in-Rwanda promotion in Netherlands and Belgium.
In September, the event will shift the focus to London before going to New York in December and Tokyo next year.

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Culture

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

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

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.

Culture

UNESCO lists Ghana’s Kente cloth as cultural heritage

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The iconic Ghanaian Kente, a piece of clothing, has been recognized as a cultural heritage on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The global recognition, according to the UN body, is coming under the 2003 Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage highlights the cultural and historical significance of the vibrant, handwoven textile.

In a citation on its website, UNESCO describes the Kente cloth as “originating from Ghana’s Asante and Ewe communities and renowned worldwide for its bold colors, intricate patterns, and deep symbolic meanings, embodying the creativity and identity of the Ghanaian people.”

Ghana’s Tourism Minister, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, described the recognition as a testament to Ghana’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage.

“This achievement places Ghana at the forefront of global efforts to safeguard and celebrate cultural traditions,” he noted.

In a statement acknowledging the recognition, Mercer said the “Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) expressed gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, UNESCO, and the artisans, cultural institutions, and traditional authorities who contributed to this milestone.”

“Special acknowledgement is given to the Bonwire and Agotime communities for their enduring role as custodians of the craft.

“As Ghana celebrates this historic moment, MoTAC reaffirms its dedication to promoting and preserving the nation’s rich cultural legacy.”