Culture

Egyptian Youtuber detained for spreading ‘fake news’

Published

10 months ago

March 10, 2024

Popular Egyptian Youtuber who operates the account “Mo Silva” has been detained on the orders of the Public Prosecution over allegations of spreading fake news and “sharing false information” regarding the death of a student of the Arish University, Nayera Salah.

The 19-year-old Salah, a veterinary medicine student of the University, died late in February under circumstances which authorities believed to be suicide resulting from psychological pressures.

However, following claims on social media suggesting foul play, her body was exhumed on Saturday for a post-mortem examination.

As part of investigations, two of her colleagues, a man and a woman, were detained by the prosecution for allegedly threatening to expose personal information about her.

A statement by the Public Prosecution on Saturday, however, revealed that the “detained man operating under the social media account Mo Silva, falsely claimed that Nayera was blackmailed with indecent photos.”

“He accused those colleagues of poisoning and killing her. He further alleged that the college management refused to support Nayera when she reported being threatened,” the statement said.

“The dissemination of this fake news was deemed a threat to public peace by the prosecution.

“During the arrest and interrogation, the man confessed to publishing the news without verifying its authenticity, stating that he obtained it from other websites with the intention of gaining views,” the prosecution said.

The statement the two “individuals in custody had allegedly sent threatening messages to Nayera, accompanied by demands, and are also facing charges related to violating her personal life.”

“The accused woman shared a conversation forwarded from Nayera’s phone with the accused man. He then threatened to share the conversation and claimed to possess compromising photos of Nayera, intending to distribute them within their colleagues’ Whatsapp group.

“Prosecution’s investigation revealed that Nayera had visited two pesticides stores before her death and purchased pesticide tablets, which had been widely speculated as the method of her alleged suicide.

“However, the exact cause of her death is still under investigation.”

Related Topics:Death fake news Featured Mo Silva Nayera Salah

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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.”