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African descendants celebrate St. Balthazar’s Day in Paraguay

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Thousands of African descendants in Paraguay over the last weekend, kicked off the celebration of St. Balthazar’s Day, an annual festival that offers a special chance for Paraguayan-Africans to stay connected with their African roots.

The annual festival, according to one of the organisers, Juan Medina, is more than just a party but a mission to shine a spotlight on Afro-Paraguayan culture, making sure it gets the recognition and visibility it truly deserves.

The Afro-descendants in the country were treated to a variety of vibrant blend of dance, drumming, and rocking traditional outfits which Medina connects them to their African roots.

Medina, who is a percussionist of the Kamba Cua ballet group which provided music for the revellers, said he grew up listening to the rhythms of the drums as a child, fuelling in him a passion “about the art that my ancestors brought me.”

“It’s truly something extraordinary for us. We’re honouring our ancestors who hailed from there, paying homage to them every January 6th, and gathering with a bunch of friends who join in the celebration with us,” Medina said.

He added that the Kamba party, which means “Black” in Guaraní, was a meeting of Afro-descendants where Afro-descendant friends from other communities gather to spend a magical night together.

“For some Afro-descendants in Paraguay, their roots in the country date back to 1820 when the Kamba ethnic group’s Africans arrived in the region with Artigas’ army,” he narrated.

“With the festival, the Kamba Cua crew seizes this opportunity to honour their patron saint, all while putting their African heritage in the spotlight with flair and jubilation.

“With Kamba Cua, we express our culture through dance, hoping that the Paraguayan state might roll out some public policies and let everyone know about the awesome things we’re up to.

“Kamba Cua isn’t just a name; it’s a slice of history. The district was handed over to Jose Gervasio Artigas during his exile from Uruguay, finding shelter in Paraguay under the wing of José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia,” he added.

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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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