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Popular Zambian dance inscribed on UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage

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The popular Kalela Dance from Northern Zambia has been recognized and inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Orgainistaion (UNESCO) list of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) at the ongoing 17th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on the 2003 ICH Convention in Rabat, Morocco.

The Zambian Ministry of Tourism and Arts, in a statement in Lusaka on Thursday, said the recognition of the Kalela Dance “will bring feasibility not only to the dance troupe alone but also to market the country internationally.”

The statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Sakabilo Kalembwe, noted that the Kalela Dance troupe will now be on the UNESCO List of ICH for the 2003 Convention on ICH.

Kalembwe added that the recognition of the dance troupe will also increase attention for documentation and research and increased Cultural Tourism for the Dance Element.

“Historically, the Kalela Dance originated on the Bangweulu Swamps, in Luapula Province, in the colonial times and was adopted on the Copperbelt by mine workers.

Kalela is a kind of dance drill formation in which the dancers normally form two or three lines as they dance forwards and backwards as they sing to the drum sounds.

“From that time, the dance became domesticated for entertainment at the chief’s palaces, during traditional ceremonies, funerals, harvest celebrations and any other important occasions,” Kalembwe said.

He also noted that Zambia now has five elements on the ICH List including Gule Wamkulu, Makishi, Mooba and Budima Dances and Songs.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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