Culture

Legendary Ghanaian composer Osei-Boateng passes on

Published

9 months ago

April 8, 2024

Legendary Ghanaian chorale music composer, Akuamoah Osei-Boateng, has reportedly died at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) after battling with an undisclosed ailment, according to a statement released by his family on Monday.

His brother and head of the Aduana family of Oguaa, Mark Kwabena Adu Agyei, who confirmed the passing of the renowned and well-respected composer, said he died on Saturday, April 6th.

In his lifetime, Osei-Boateng was credited with popular Ghanaian choral songs such as “Gyatabruwaa”, “Yesu ka wo ho” and “Yehwe wo” all of which went on to become great hits.

Local Ghanaian media reports that Osei-Boateng’s death is a big blow to the country’s choral fraternity with a number of choral groups such as Harmonious Chorale expressing their grief at the huge loss.

Choral Music TV, a channel dedicated to the promotion of choral music also announced the passing of Osei-Boateng on its Facebook page, while Ghanaians in their thousands, poured out condolences and tributes in his memory on social media since the news of his death was announced.

The legendary Seventh-Day Adventist composer and singer who had a successful music career spanning over 50 years, was known to have nurtured and trained several talents within and outside the church, gave up the ghost at the Accident and Emergency Centre of the Teaching Hospital where he was on admission for about a week, according to the family.

“He was a well-travelled man who founded the Advent Missionaries Group that spread like wildfire, especially among members of the SDA Church, his fans, and his immediate family,” a local media wrote about him.

“Born to Madam Adwoa Oforiwaa and Opanin Akwasi Kwayie of Senkyi and Oguaa respectively, near Effiduase in the Ashanti region, he was born into a Muslim family but converted to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in his youthful years.

“The trained teacher effectively combined teaching and music in the early stages of his life.”

Click to comment

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.”