Culture

Two Egyptian Monks charged for killing three church members in Sourh Africa

Published

9 months ago

March 24, 2024

Two Egyptian monks have been charged to court by South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on charges of murdering three members of their church.

The NPA, in a statement on Saturday, said the two Egyptian nationals were arraigned at the Cullinan Magistrates Court in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, on Friday, on “charges of murdering three members of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church earlier this month.”

“Two Egyptian nationals, a monk, Saeed Basonda (37) and a priest, Samuel Avamarkos (47), appeared at the Cullinan Magistrates Court where they are facing three counts of murder,” the NPA statement said.

The statement went on to explain that in the early hours of March 12, the two monks stabbed and killed three priests at the premises of the church where they all resided.

“All three victims were found with stab wounds, while the fourth victim who survived alleged that he was hit by an iron rod on his hand before fleeing and hiding in one of the rooms.

“The two Egyptian priests who are facing three charges of murder, made their first appearance in the Cullinan Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

“On Friday, proceedings started late as the court awaited the arrival of an Arabic interpreter.

“The two speak limited English but Father Samuel told the court he is not sure why he was arrested. He requested the court to release him but was reminded that he faces schedule six charges.”

NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, who addressed a press conference after thsaid court proceedings, said:

“The three bodies were discovered by the worker of the church when reporting for duty. The worker then informed the Deacon of the church, and the police were called. After questioning, the two were arrested and remanded in custody,” Mahanjana said.

“The state then requested the matter to be postponed to March 28 pending confirmation of the accused’s addresses as they had initially lived at the Monastery,” he added.

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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.”