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WHO recognises ancient Egyptian king, Ramesses V as oldest victim of smallpox

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognised ancient Egyptian king, Ramesses V as the oldest known victim of smallpox.

The WHO, in a new video released to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the organization on Saturday, said Ramesses V, who was the fourth pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty of Egypt, is believed to be the oldest person who succumbed to the disease but was seen then as a punishment from the gods.

During the video presentation, Ramesses V himself is heard telling the story of his smallpox disease, saying:

“3,000 years ago, a disease hit the planet, adding, that you may not know me, I am the defeater of millions, the master of the earth and the protector of the Egyptians, I am Pharaoh Ramses V, my appearance does not scare you as it used to scare me one day, because the disease could affect everyone as everyone was susceptible to infection, and everyone was afraid of it, even the kings.”

He added:

Smallpox is highly contagious and intractable, as it has taken the lives of hundreds of millions of people, but humanity did not stand idly by, as the smallpox vaccine became the first vaccine to be manufactured in history.

“The disease is gone, and the pain, suffering, and stigma that haunted countless souls have gone. The power of science has triumphed, and a disease that has been stationed for thousands of years has been erased from existence.

“I am the ruler of ancient Egypt, and even after my death my body was preserved and my memory perpetuated, but you will remember that you achieved this achievement that saves human lives”.

Known as Usermaatre Sekheperenre Ramesses V, the revered ancient Egyptian king was the son of Ramesses IV and Duatentopet.

Ramesses V’s reign was characterized by the continued growth of the power of the priesthood of Amun which controlled much of the temple land in the country and the state finances at the expense of the ruling pharaohs.

His mummy is now on display at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo.

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Culture

Ghanaians kick as President Akufo-Addo unveils ‘self-honouring’ statue

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A decision by outgoing Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo, to unveil what has been described as a “self-honouring” statue outside a regional hospital in Sekondi, has been generating serious criticism from a horde of Ghanaians on social media.

President Akufo-Addo got into troubled waters when he unveiled a statue of himself at the entrance of Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi as part of his one-day “thank you” tour of the Western Region on Wednesday.

While justifying the action, Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, explained that the statue honors the president’s initiatives in the region, including the rehabilitation of Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, the construction of a 3-tier Sinohydro interchange, and the redevelopment of the Takoradi Market Circle.

Mensah added that the statue was meant to commemorate Akufo-Addo’s development projects during his two terms in office.

However, many Ghanaians do not reason in like manner as they see it as an act of self-promotion rather than public service.

Opposition Member of Parliament, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah who condemned the statue in a post on X, said “the people of the Western Region deserve better than these self-serving displays.”

Others also echoed similar sentiments, questioning the statue’s relevance at a time when several of the president’s initiatives remain incomplete.

An X user said it would have been admirable if the president had left such recognitions to posterity.

But despite the controversy, some Ghanaians have defended the monument, praising Akufo-Addo’s contributions particularly his flagship policy of free secondary education, which he has highlighted as his most significant legacy.

One of such supporters hailed him as the architect of Ghana’s free education system.

“He is deserving of this monument – the greatest president I’ve ever had,” he wrote.

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Zimbabwe calls on UK to return remains of 19th century warriors

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The Zimbabwean government has renewed its call on the United Kingdom to repatriate the remains of its 19th century warriors who were taken away by the British colonial masters after they rose up against colonial rule.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa who made the call during a speech at the burial of independence hero, Jaison Chirinda, who died on October 27 aged 82, said the move to repatriate the remains of the warriors was part of mounting pressure on Western countries and museums to return African artefacts and historical pieces plundered during the colonial era by powers such as Belgium, Britain, France and Germany.

“We remind the British government and people that the spirits of our heroes will not rest until their remains are repatriated and interred in a dignified way,” Mnangagwa.

He specifically mentioned anti-colonial hero King Lobengula, who was forced into exile, as well as Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi, who were executed by hanging for resisting colonial rule.

“Equally, the remains of our brave warriors such as Chief Chiwashira, Chief Chingaira, Chief Mapondera and Chief Mashayamombe are still held in British museums as trophies, after they were captured and killed in horrific circumstances,” Mnangagwa added.

Mnangagwa also demanded an apology from the British government for colonial atrocities they committed.

“We demand an apology and reparations from the British government,” he insisted.

He also noted that Zimbabwe believes the remains were taken to the United Kingdom as war trophies and are being used for research at Cambridge University and London’s Natural History Museum.

Investigations over the years have revealed that the Natural History Museum in the UK holds over 25,000 human remains, with a number of pieces originating from Zimbabwe.

Two years ago, the British institutions announced that they were ready to cooperate, after a Zimbabwean delegation visited the country for talks but the issue has been topical for over a decade with the British revealing that discussions on the subject began in 2014.

The British control ended in 1965, but the local white minority ruled Zimbabwe, then known as Rhodesia, until 1980, when it was renamed Zimbabwe following a guerilla warfare often referred to as the “Rhodesian Bush War.”

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