Culture

Lawsuit filed against French rapper, Booba for allegedly insulting Moroccan women

Published

2 years ago

May 2, 2023

A body of legal practitioners in Morocco, “The Club of Moroccan Lawyers”, has filed a lawsuit against a French rapper, Yaffa Elie Thitia, also known as Booba, for allegedly insulting Moroccan women in two of his recently released songs.

The songs, according to the lawyers, sparked controversy in the North African country especially in one line where he sings: “I only go to chicha for Arabs,” and “Little Moroccan f***s Berlusconi.”

The President of the Club of Moroccan Lawyers, Mourad Elajouti, who disclosed this in a series of tweets, said the club decided to file a complaint against Booba for defamation and insults against Moroccan women.

In a series of Twitter threads, Elajouti wrote:

“We have received hundreds of letters and messages asking us to act, and after studying the elements sent to us, the remarks made in several of his (Booba’s) songs represent an offense to the feelings and dignity of the Maghreb woman in general.”

Elajouti added that the recent posting of the singer’s visit to a private aviation lounge in Casablanca was “another provocation to the Moroccan people, especially since he has not expressed neither regret nor apology in relation to the remarks defamatory language used in his songs.”

He further explained that under Moroccan law, the French rapper could be banned from entering Moroccan soil following his actions.

“The provisions of article 4 of law 02-03 relating to the entry and stay of foreigners, access to Moroccan territory may be refused to any foreigner whose presence would constitute a threat to order,” Elajouti wrote.

The lawsuit is coming two months after the Moroccan Justice and Development Party (PJD) petitioned the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mehdi Bensaid, calling on him to cancel an upcoming concert of the rapper in the country.

Women activists have also risen against Booba, calling for his prosecution.

A prominent activist, Al-Fathaoui, in a post on Instagram, accused the rapper of using misogynistic and sexist language that directly targets Moroccan women.

“The rapper in question was famous for raising controversy in many cases, and Instagram banned his account by decision of the Judicial Court in Marseille in 2022, after a complaint related to sexual harassment,” Al-Fathaoui wrote.

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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.”