Culture

Tanzanian President Suluhu names ‘troublesome’ lion after rival Lissu

Published

4 months ago

August 27, 2024

The political rivalry between Tanzanian President, Samia Suluhu Hassan, and her main opponent, Tundu Lissu, took a funny turn on Monday when she named a “troublesome” lion after the opposition leader.

President Samia, who was on a visit to the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA), was introduced to the unruly lion by officials who described the animal as very troublesome.

While responding to the officials, the President reportedly said:

“Does that lion have a name? If not, name him Tundu Lissu. It is because he is always unsettled.’

When journalists later asked Lissu who is the leader of the main opposition party Chadema, what he thought of his new namesake, he took it in his stride and made a joke out of it.

“I come from a family of heroes. My great-grandfather killed a lion that attacked him and his cattle,” he said.

Lissu is unarguably Tanzania’s major opposition figure and a notable government critic. He ran
for office in 2020, but lost against the late John Magufuli. Samia, who was then the vice-president, became leader in 2021 after Mr Magufuli died while in office.

He was arrested earlier this year for attempting to hold a youth rally, which police say was intended to incite violence.

In 2017, Lissu survived a gun attack after his car was sprayed with over 17 bullets, but he escaped with heavy injuries.

Presidential elections are due next year and with President Samia planning to run for a second term, Lissu is also planning to run for president once again.

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Culture

Ghana’s Supreme Court dismisses suit challenging anti-LGBT bill

Published

2 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

3 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.”