Culture

University of Ghana hosts exhibition on slavery at Elmina Castle

Published

6 months ago

July 5, 2024

The Institute of African Studies of the University of Ghana, in conjunction with the Zeeuws Archief in Netherlands, has opened an exhibition on slavery at the historical Elmina Castle aimed at “inspiring a fair world for all.”

With a major theme of “Resistance and Resilience: Narratives from Northern Ghana and Zeeuws Archief,” the exhibition which will last till October, has two sub-themes entitled “Slavery resistance narratives in Northern Ghana; Every human being is a human being,” and “Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade: The unity and freedom’s narratives from the Zeeland archives”.

The exhibition, which is organised with support from the Netherlands Embassy and the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB), according to the Director of the Institute of African Studies, Prof. Samuel Aniegye Ntewusu, will “combine text, audio-visual and physical objects to vividly tell the story of slavery and the struggle for freedom.”

“This exhibition exemplifies the shared commitment to preserving and honouring historical narratives that shape society’s understanding of the past,” Prof. Ntewusu said in a statement while declaring the epoch event open.

“It also tells the narratives of the people Sankana, Sandema, Salaga, Gwollu, Nalerigu and Pikworo communities and the impact of the slave trade on these communities

“The exhibition, which would run till October, is expected to help patrons reflect on the stories and renew their commitment to honouring the resilience and resistance of those who endured the adversities of the slave trade.

“It is also anticipated to inspire all to strive towards a future of justice, equality and respect for all.”

Prof. Ntewusu also noted that the subject of slavery remains a global discourse making the exhibition of local, national and international relevance.

“While the story of the inhumane treatment suffered by communities in Northern Ghana had been untold until now, research had challenged the widely held narrative about the enslaved as docile and passive victims.”

Also speaking on the exhibition, the Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, Jeroen Verheul, said it connected two sides of the same coin and looked at the impact on both Ghana and the Netherlands looking at the resistance and resilience of the slavery history which was usually undocumented and forgotten.

He expressed the hope that the exhibition would ensure the current and future generations resisted all forms of slavery.

Related Topics:Exhibition Featured Ghana Slave Trade

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Culture

Ghana’s Afua Asantewaa begins second GWR sing-a-thon attempt

Published

2 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

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.

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.