Culture

Namibia pulls down statue of controversial German colonial master

Published

2 years ago

November 24, 2022

Namibia authorities, on Wednesday, took down the statue of a controversial German colonial master from its location in the capital, Windhoek, and relocated to the Windhoek City Museum, following pressure from local activists.

The monument which had commemorated the colonial officer, Curt von Francois, a German army commissioner who has been credited with founding Windhoek, has been a subject of dispute and agitation from local campaigners and historians who have refused to attribute the honour to him.

The statue which had stood on a high pedestal outside municipal buildings, depicted von Francois in a military uniform with a moustache, a large hat, and holding a sword, which activists said was a symbol of his perceived cruelty.

The removal of the statue of von Francois’ comes two years after the statue of a British colonialist, Cecil Rhodes, was beheaded by activists at the University of Cape Town in neighbouring South Africa during protests sparked by the death of black American George Floyd.

A jubilant activist, Hildegard Titus, said the “moment is a recollection of dignity, our city has been white-washed.”

“There is an emotional tie to the statue being taken down but it also has to do with historical accuracy. It was a reminder of genocide,” Titus added.

Germany colonised Namibia from 1884 to 1915 and between 1904 and 1908, German settlers reportedly killed tens of thousands of indigenous Herero and Nama people in massacres historians have called the 20th century’s first genocide.

In 2021, Germany acknowledged the genocide after lengthy, bitter negotiations and promised more than $1 billion in financial support to descendants of the victims, whom many Namibians argue were not sufficiently involved in the negotiations.

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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.”