Culture

Co-founder of Senegal’s Toure Kounda band, Ismaila Toure, dies at 73

Published

2 years ago

March 1, 2023

The co-founder of popular Senegalese musical group, Toure Kunda, Ismaila Touré, has died at the age of 73 following a long battle with illness.

A statement by his family on Wednesday, said Touré died, his on Monday, February 27, after battling health issues for several years.

“Ismaïla died this morning, at the age of 73, following a long illness in Paris,” one his daughters wrote in a press release.

“He left an indelible mark on the world of music and culture. We are proud of his legacy and all the contributions he made throughout his life,” the statement said, adding that “guneral details will be communicated in due course.”

The Touré Kunda musical group, which Ismaila found with his brother, Touré Kunda, co-founded with his brother Sixu Tidiane, was an “emblematic group of the world-music, a laboratory of interbreeding between traditional African music and more rock or jazz tones,” local media describes the group.

“Touré Kunda was a pioneer of African music in the French speaking colonies of West Africa at the end of the 1970s, helped to revolutionise the music industry in Senegal.”

Formed in the late 1970s, the group launched its first album, “E’Mma” in 1980, which became an instant hit and shot the group to international limelight.

“In total, Touré Kunda released over a dozen albums during their career and performed at festivals and concerts around the world,” the media wrote.

“They were regular invitees to France to celebrate with their music, major events, such as the re-election of President François Mitterrand.”

Senegal President Macky Sall who expressed his sadness at the demise of the music icon, said on Twitter:

“Beyond his musical career, Ismaïla Touré, worked to promote cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue, and was a strong advocate for peace, social justice and equal opportunity.

“I am saddened to learn of the death of Touré, a member of the legendary Touré Kunda group. It’s a huge loss for Senegalese and African music.”

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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.”