Culture

Late AKA’s mom Lynn Forbes offers hope to grieving parents

Published

9 months ago

March 21, 2024

The mother of late South African rapper, Kiernan Forbes who was popularly called AKA, Lynn Forbes, has taken to social media to send comforting words of hope to “parents who have had to bury a child just like she did.”

The multiple-award-winning rapper was murdered in a drive-by shooting alongside his close friend, celebrity chef and entrepreneur, Tebello “Tibz” Motshoane, on February 10, 2023, while waiting outside popular Durban restaurant.

Though about seven suspects were arrested last month and charged to court by the SA police, AKA’s mom who is a social media influencer and podcaster, says she is still grieving and has decided to reach out to other grieving parents.

Since his murder, the Forbes family, especially his parents, Tony and Lynn, have been extremely vocal about their struggles in overcoming his death.

They have appeared on various radio and TV shows and podcasts to talk about his death as well as the vacuum his demise has brought.

In a recent podcast broadcast, Lynn said she had embarked on an “eat, pray, love” journey last year, hoping to heal her soul.

Her most recent attempt in finding solace is by offering it to those who are going through the same grieving process as her.

Taking to her Instagram account on Thursday, Lynn said:

“English has no word for the overwhelming grief a parent experiences over the death of their child.”

Continuing, she went on to explain a certain what a Sanskrit term called “Vilomah”, stands for, she says means “against the natural order of things”.

“The term ‘Vilomah’ describes a parent who has lost their child. Life has its natural order, and in that order, children are supposed to outlive their parents. But sometimes there comes a time when parents have to bury their children.

“For those parents, who lost a child, whose identity has been altered forever and who is looking for a community to identify with, I hope this helps you on your journey of grief and understanding the completely altered human being you are.

“I hope it brings you just a little more solace,” she 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.”