Culture

Kenyan boy band Sauti Sol threatens to sue ex-PM Raila Odinga over copyright infringement

Published

3 years ago

May 17, 2022

Kenyan boy band, Sauti Sol, has threatened to drag former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, and his presidential campaign team, ‘Azimio La Umoja One Kenya’, for alleged musical copyright infringement by using one of their songs, “Extravaganza,” as a soundtrack during the unveiling of NARC Party leader, Martha Karua, as the coalition’s running mate.

In a statement issued by the popular band’s management team on Monday, the group claimed that the action taken by Odinga’s Azimio’s campaign team infringed on their right to property as is “guaranteed in Article 4 of the Constitution of Kenya.”

“It has come to our attention that the Azimio la Umoja campaign through its flagbearer and presidential candidate, the Right Hon. Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga’s social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) have without license nor authority used one of our more popular original compositions, “Extravaganza,” as a soundtrack to the announcement post of the running mate,” part of the statement read.

The music group added that the action of the former Prime Minister who is running for President in August presidential election, has infringed on their fundamental rights to property and freedom of association.

“We are disappointed by the Azimio La Umoja Campaign’s blatant disregard of our right to control the use of our copyright. We shall be seeking legal remedy for this clear violation of our copyright,” the band management maintained.

However, Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), in a
statement released on Tuesday, stated that its decision to use one of Sauti Sol’s popular songs during the naming of its running mate was an appreciation of the group’s success.

“We would like to assure our celebrated musical team, Sauti Sol, that we love them & appreciate their music so much. The group has carried our country’s flag so high in international fora and every Kenyan appreciates this. Playing their song was a show of love for their work,” ODM stated.

The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has also faulted the Odinga campaign team, saying it erred in using Souti Sol’s song during the unveiling of Karua as the presidential running mate.

In a statement on Tuesday, KECOBO noted that “Azimio only obtained a Public Performance License that allows them to play both local and international music at its rallies and events which is issued by the Collective Management Organisation, but the use of sound recording with a soundtrack with visual images in a film, video, television show, commercial, or other audio-visual production was not part of the license that was obtained by the Raila Odinga-led faction.”

The song, “Extravaganza” was released in 2019 where the group featured a number of artists including Nviiri, Bensoul, Crystal Asige, and Kaskazini and shot them to international limelight as we as placing the group among the most sought after musical acts from Africa.

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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.”