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Nigerian Afrobeats star, Asake pays tribute to women who died during London concert

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Nigerian Afrobeats sensation, Asake has paid a passionate tribute to the two women who died in a stampede outside the O2 Academy Arena in Brixton, London during his concert last December.

Asake, who marked his return to the UK stage for the first time since the unfortunate incident, honoured the lives of Rebecca Ikumelo and Gaby Hutchinson in a three-minute tribute video on Sunday.

The victims, Rebecca, aged 33, and security guard, Gaby, aged 23, met their untimely demise during the crowd commotion that marred Asake’s inaugural UK show on December 15, 2022.

The heartfelt tribute, which was performed by Nigerian-British poet, Aina More, paid homage to Rebecca and Gaby and ended with a plea to the public for any information related to the incident to be shared with the authorities.

More’s powerful verses, which were accompanied by soft piano melodies, resonated with emotion as they interwove with news segments chronicling the tragic event and captured the somber mood of the moment.

“Some came out that night and ain’t returned, we need to hold this moment,” the poem reflected on the tragedy, with the verses affirming, “Up at 02:30 thinking Gaby Hutchinson could be me,” a sentiment shared by many in the audience.

“Rest well and be free, rest in peace Rebecca, our sister,” More’s heartfelt words rang out.

During the tribute performance, dancers adorned in white emerged onstage, carrying bouquets of white flowers with the crowd responding with heartfelt cheers when the names of the victims were mentioned, as well as at the culmination of the tribute.

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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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